Premiership: United confident of new Beckham deal
Manchester United are confident that David Beckham will sign a new contract.
United’s contract talks with the England captain are nearing crunch time but the Premiership leaders do not want him to be distracted by the on-going negotiations during the climax to the season as the Reds chase glory on three fronts.
If no agreement on a new deal is reached soon, United will put talks with Beckham on hold until after the World Cup.
That would take Beckham into the final year of his current contract and increase the possibility that he could leave Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer of 2003.
However, United have not reached this crossroads yet and remain optimistic that the England skipper will commit his future to the club.
United’s director of communications Paddy Harverson said: ‘‘We remain confident of signing a new deal with David. It’s just taking longer than expected.’’
United chief executive Peter Kenyon admitted yesterday that he and Beckham were frustrated that the negotiations were still dragging on.
Kenyon claimed that despite eight months of talks, the two sides are still ‘‘adrift’’.
However he is refusing to panic and he insists both sides still want to reach a settlement.
Kenyon said: ‘‘I think we’re close, but still a bit adrift.
‘‘I guess we’re all getting a bit frustrated by that. But we want him to sign and he wants to be a Manchester United player and I’m sure we’ll get there.
‘‘It has gone on longer than we all thought for all the right reasons.
‘‘I’m sure he will continue to be a Manchester United player and that will be for the benefit of everybody.
‘‘So I share the frustrations like he does and our supporters do.
‘‘But the deal has got to be the right deal for both parties and one that we can look each other in the eye and live with for years to come.’’
United have reportedly offered Beckham, whose current contract is worth around £28,000-a-week, a four-year deal worth £85,000-a-week.
This falls short of his demands and it is believed he wants a staggering £100,000-a-week to stay at Old Trafford, including a special image rights clause.
While United may be unwilling to give Beckham what he wants, they will be aware that several foreign clubs would be.
They would be prepared to offer him much more than United would and from January 1 next year would be free to begin talks with the 26-year-old.
