Madrid Want Beckham to Stay

With more money than you can imagine and a newspaper more than willing to kickstart the gossip that leads to big money moves, Real Madrid usually get what they want in the transfer market. Remember that whole Nicolas Anelka saga? But there are limits, no matter how many Euros you have to spend and one of those limits is that you can’t undo transfers that have already been done.

Beckhams recent performances in the white of both Real and England have caused a bit of a rethink at Real, with president Ramon Calderon making noises about the possibility of Goldenballs staying at the Bernabeu – despite Becks’ signed, sealed and soon to be delivered move to LA Galaxy.

Apparently Calderon believes there’s some sort of mysterious clause in Beckham’s contract. “We need to sit down with him (Beckham), his representatives and with (Real Madrid sporting director Predrag) Mijatovic, look at this clause, and decide between us, but for me I would be delighted if he remained at the club,” Calderon told Marca. “There was a bit of anger by the premature announcement of his exit, but we are now going to make an effort for him to stay.”

Spanish media have been “>reporting Becks could back out of the deal with MLS if he pays 10 million euros ($13.42 million) in compensation, a story that will definitely give poor old Alexi Lalas a few sleepless nights. But whatever you say about the former England captain (too many tattoos, one-trick pony, squeaky voice, silly haircuts etc) he’s definitely a man of his word, and very unlikely to pull a U-turn after committing to MLS. His spokesman has reacted to Calderon’s comments by saying “There is no change to David’s plans.”

We may not have heard the end of this. Madrid fans will be eager for Becks to stay, maybe more so if the team clinch La Liga next week, and Madrid will probably make a last ditch effort to persuade their best shirt salesman to sign for at least one more year. But in terms of legacy, what better way for Beckham to leave Madrid and enter MLS than as a champion?

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Category: World Football