Madrid rebuffed in Beckham bid
Mon 11 Jun, 01:30 PM
Real Madrid have failed in an approach to David Beckham's advisers and LA Galaxy in an attempt to buy him out of his contract with the club.The Spanish club contacted Beckham's camp and Galaxy after president Ramon Calderon spoke of exploiting a possible escape clause in his contract to try to keep him in Madrid.
It is understood however that Real were told "politely but firmly" this morning that no such clause exists - and that there is no chance of Beckham changing his mind.
Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello, who often left Beckham on the bench during the first half of the Primera Liga season, has admitted making errors about the way the 32-year-old was handled.
He said: "We have all made mistakes regarding Beckham.
"On the sporting side we have made a decision and I am the one that has the maximum responsibility.
"The truth is that with him we made a mistake.
"Beckham is a great player. Now he is playing at the same level as he did at Manchester (United).
"He is a player that has recovered his physical and psychological condition because he was upset not to be playing with his national team.
"For every player, the national team is important and for English players, more so."
On Sunday, Galaxy's general manager Alexei Lalas insisted: "Without a doubt David Beckham is still coming to LA Galaxy.
"Nothing has changed from our vantage point, we can't wait for him to get here and we hope he is coming off a win next weekend and a La Liga championship.
"I don't doubt that Real Madrid along with numerous clubs would love to have the services of David Beckham but the reality is that ship has sailed and any comments to the contrary are simply false."
Lalas felt Calderon's comments were nothing to concern the Galaxy.
"That comment in itself (from Calderon) is pretty benign that he would love David to stay and that that would be wonderful, but I think David is ready for the challenge and ready for the adventure," he added.
"I would think all concentration and positive energy (at Real Madrid) would be geared towards winning the La Liga championship and comments like this don't help the mental preparation of the team for their most important game of the season."
Asked if there was a get-out clause in Beckham's Galaxy contract, Lalas said: "No. I can't discuss a player's contract or individual clauses but we're confident that he is coming and all this is just people talking.
"The reality is that we have a contract for him to come and we think it's going to be wonderful for the Galaxy on and off the field and for US soccer.
"We're excited to have him and there is no altering of the course."
Lalas speculated on whether things might have worked out differently had Real made a bigger effort to keep the player at the end of the year when contract talks first got under way, and felt the Galaxy got in at exactly the right time.
"I definitely think that you grab hold of opportunities where they are and given what's happened on the field for David the circumstances have changed," the former USA defender said.
"Timing is everything in this world whether it's in football, in life or in business. We recognised an opportunity, the negotiations were swift and smooth, he saw what a wonderful challenge and he saw that we were honest and excited about making the offer to him."
Asked whether would be better off staying in Spain or another top European league for now, Lalas added: "I don't agree with that. I believe any player can come to US soccer and not sacrifice any of his development."
Lalas claimed the club would "deal with" any change of heart from Beckham, but insisted that
This post has been edited by {DATUNA} on 11 Jun 2007, 16:58
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REAL MADRID Fan Club, ყველაზე მაგარი კლუბის ფან-კლუბი, part 8
