MADRID - England captain David Beckham is keen to extend his contract at Real Madrid.
"The club have said they want to talk to me about signing a new deal and I am very happy to do that," Beckham told a news conference.
"My life here is perfect and I'm
happy at Real Madrid so of course I want to stay as long as I can." The 30-year-old former Manchester United player has one more year on his deal after the end of this season but welcomed the club's offer of talks.
"We have spoken about a meeting in the next couple of months but we'll just have to wait because we've got so many matches and I need to concentrate on the football for now," he said.
Beckham has not had an easy ride since moving from Manchester United in 2003.
Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is his fourth since he joined the club and the side have failed to win a major trophy.
Off the field constant press attention and revelations about his private life have unsettled him but of late he appears to be rediscovering the form that made him such a hit in his first months in Madrid.
"The football side of things is much better now and I'm pleased with how it's going," Beckham said.
"I am always going to have problems with the paparazzi. I have had two men outside my house for the last two years, which is frightening at times, but that is my life unfortunately."
The return to action of England defender Jonathan Woodgate after a 17 month absence with injury has been another boost for Beckham even though Woodgate had a nightmare debut, scoring an own-goal and being sent off in his first game last week.
"Obviously Jonathan was one of the best young defenders in England when he was there and now he is very important for Real Madrid," said Beckham.
"We've been putting in a lot of work on our defence but with Woody, Sergio Ramos and Ivan Helguera back we are now much better."
- REUTERS
