Beckham to get extension from Real Madrid

David Beckham will be given a contract extension by Spanish Real Madrid, with the club claiming it still wants him, likely because of his marketing value.

Club president Ramon Calderon made the overtures after Beckham was jettisoned by the England national team. Calderon vowed to sort out Beckham's future so he is committed to them until June 2009, despite Beckham likely to have a difficult time keeping his position as a regular under new manager Fabio Capello.

Calderon has made contact with the former England captain's representatives to set up a meeting to discuss the contract. Beckham's pay will stay at GBP 100,000 a week but he will be handed a far bigger slice of image rights.

"Calderon spoke to Becks. He told him that whatever happens with England, he has nothing to worry about as far as staying at Real is concerned," said a source within the club. "A new contract is top of the list. He wants to stay and the president and manager want him to stay. Beckham is having a hard time but nothing has changed because he is still a great player and is important to the club's marketing strategy."

Beckham, 31, will earn an estimated GBP 25 million a year with the new deal. The clubs currently takes 50 percent of his sponsorship deals. But the midfielder's cut is set to rise to 80 percent.

Beckham recently signed a three-year deal worth GBP 7.5 million with Motorola. His other big backers are Pepsi, Gillette and adidas. The agreement has been brokered by Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.