Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini has seemingly closed the
door to the possibility of signing David Beckham.
The former England captain is set to reopen talks regarding a new
deal with Real Madrid after being linked with a January exit from
the Bernabeu.
Beckham is free to speak to any potential suitors as his current
contract expires in June, but Inter look unlikely to make a move in
the early part of 2007.
Nerazzurri coach Mancini is still hopeful of keeping Luis Figo,
despite claims by Al Ittihad that they have signed the Portuguese
midfielder, and as such has no interest in pursuing Beckham.
"Figo is an Inter player and he will remain at Inter, as Beckham is
a Real Madrid player," said Mancini. "Out of respect I never speak
about other clubs' players."
Moreover, Beckham's spokesman Simon Oliveira has now insisted that
the former Manchester United hero will take his time over the new
deal proposed by Real, with a January move certainly out of the
question.
"There is a significant deal on the table from Real," Oliveira told
the BBC. "It's slightly more than he's on at the moment.
"They are the only club we are genuinely talking to at the moment
and another meeting is scheduled for the second week of
January.
"David intends to play a major role for Real Madrid for the
remainder of the season.
"He wants to take time over this decision. It will be the last
significant deal of his football career.
"He will know by March what he is going to do."