Beckham: I want to sign up
David Beckham said today that he was desperate to sign a new contract with Manchester United before the World Cup Finals.
Saying he was closer to signing a new deal than ever before, the England captain insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to stay on as United manager for a further three years will make it easier for him to reach agreement.
He said "I am closer to signing now than I was six months ago. It would be nice to settle it before the World Cup and the fact that Sir Alex is staying makes it a lot easier. But it's still got to be right for me and, although we are closer to getting an agreement, we are not close enough yet."
Beckham, whose £25,000-a-week contract runs out at the end of next season, has been stalling on signing a new one because of a disagreement over the player's image rights.
Although they have agreed a basic salary of £80,000-a-week, the 26-year-old England captain wants another £20,000 for the use of his image.
Last week, United agreed to up their offer, but a deal is still some weeks away.
Beckham added: "This decision is the biggest of my career and I have to get it right. There have been 21 meetings and I have only sat in on one. I don't really need to be there."
Beckham said he was excited about the approaching World Cup finals but added: "We've got to be careful not to get carried away too much because the group stages are going to be very difficult. But, if we can get through, we can do well."
Looking forward to the Holland game, Beckham said: "We did not do too well against them at White Hart Lane and we want to play better than that."
He also confirmed he thought he would be fit for the match on Wednesday after being injured yesterday against Charlton.
"I got three or four knocks on the same spot. I won't be training today but, fingers crossed, I will tomorrow.
"And, hopefully, I will play on Wednesday."
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