Real increases Becks offer

Negotiations over the renewal of David Beckham's contract at Real Madrid are likely to be restarted next week, following an improved offer from the club.

At least that is what the player's agent, Simon Oliveira, claimed in an interview with BBC sport. "There is a significant deal on the table from Real. It's slightly more than he's currently on. They are the only club we are genuinely talking to at the moment and another meeting is scheduled for the second week of January," Oliveira said.

Although Beckham can now freely negotiate with any other clubs interested in signing him, Oliveira said he would not be leaving in the January transfer window, and that the final decision is likely to be made public around March.