Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says a number of English clubs are interested in signing David Beckham but he hopes the midfielder will sign a new deal that will keep him at Real for the rest of his career.
“All the English teams are fighting to try and get him to return there, but we are delighted with him,” Perez told Real Madrid television.
“With regard to renewing his contract, he has still got a year and a half left and we’ve got time to keep talking. But I like to do these things at the end of the season otherwise they develop into a soap opera.
“People sometimes overlook that Beckham plays some great games because it was said that we only signed him to sell shirts. He has given Real some great evenings of football and he will give them many more.”
Beckham joined Real on a four-year contract from Manchester United in June 2003 for a fee of up to €35m.
Although Real trail champions Barcelona by 13 points in the league, Perez has not given up hope of securing some silverware this season, with the Kings Cup and Champions League their main targets.
“We are going to compete for every trophy, but personally I would love to win the King’s Cup because it’s the only trophy I haven’t won as president,” he said.
“We always have a special motivation in the Champions League. We are really looking forward to the game against Arsenal.
“We have usually done well against English teams, but they are sure to make it very difficult for us because there is always extra incentive for any team when they play Real Madrid.”
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