Beckham's spokesman Simon Oliveira said Wednesday talks would resume this
week. He spoke shortly after comments by Madrid sports director Predrag
Mijatovic led to confusion over the 31-year-old midfielder's future.
"There's still a written offer on the table from Real Madrid," Oliveira told
The Associated Press. "We have a meeting in the next 48 hours."
Mijatovic's remarks to Italian TV station Sky TG 24 led to doubt whether
Madrid's decision was final or whether talks were still alive.
Some news media quoted Mijatovic as saying, "Beckham will leave us, we will
not renew his contract." However,
that did not reflect the exact words broadcast in the Italian interview and
translated by the AP.
The interviewer asked: "Will Beckham's contract be renewed?"
Mijatovic replied: "No, Beckham's contract was not renewed."
Madrid said it wasn't aware of Mijatovic's remarks, while the sports director
said his words had been
mistranslated.
Beckham's four-year contract expires at the end of this season. The club
wants the former England captain to decide by next week whether he will accept a
two-year extension.
Adding to speculation about his future, Beckham was left off Madrid's squad
to play a Copa del Rey match against Real Betis on Thursday.
Capello was expected to make changes following a dismal run in which Madrid
has lost three of its last four games.
But Beckham's omission for Thursday's game appears to support reports that
Capello has asked the club not to renew the Englishman's contract. Capello
reportedly views Beckham as the third choice for the right-side midfield slot
behind captain Raul Gonzalez and Jose Antonio Reyes.
Oliveira recently said Madrid's offer was slightly higher than Beckham's
current contract. He said Beckham was taking his time because it was "the last
significant deal of his football career."
Beckham is allowed to negotiate with other clubs during the January transfer
window and can leave with Madrid's permission.