Real want Beckham matter concluded

The future of former England captain David Beckham could be resolved in the next week.

Beckham is out of contract at Real Madrid at the summer and the club have publicly stated their desire to bring talks over a new one to a swift conclusion one way or another, with clubs from across Europe and the United States closely monitoring the situation.

Madrid's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic told the club's website: "Several months ago we presented an offer to renew his contract due to his importance not only from a sporting sense but from an image one. He wanted some time to think about it, but we are in a situation where we lack time and we have to react now. Next week we will deal with this matter."

The delay in talks could relate to Beckham's frustration at his lack of time on the field under new boss Fabio Capello this season.

Beckham, who has attracted interest from England, Italy, France and the US, is now free to talk to other clubs but his representative Simon Oliveira last week stated he would not leave Madrid in this month's transfer window.