DAVID BECKHAM had showdown talks about his future today after blundering Real Madrid bosses were forced to backtrack over claims they would dump him at the end of the season.Real's embarrassed sporting director Predrag Mijatovic apologised to Beckham and the club for appearing to tell an Italian TV channel the former England captain would be axed in the summer. The gaffe took the strained relationship between the two sides to breaking point, increasing the chances "Golden Balls" will reject Real's offer of a two-year contract.
Sources close to Beckham say there is no chance of him leaving this month. But his advisers, who will meet Madrid officials this afternoon, say the 31-year-old is being courted by several Premiership clubs, thought to include Everton, Tottenham, Bolton and West Ham.
Beckham has been stalling on signing the new deal in Spain because he is desperate for first team football and is unwilling to spend two more years on the bench. His spokesman added: "There's a great offer on the table from Real Madrid, but there are also great offers from Italy, France, Britain and America.
"We'll be having a meeting with Real. After that there will be a clearer view of where David's future lies after this season." Inter, AC Milan and Lyon will also have been alerted by Real's clumsy handling of the contract issue.
But the most likely destination for Beckham remains Los Angeles Galaxy. Football runs from April to October in the US, so it is possible Beckham could leave Madrid in May and play for Galaxy for most of the MLS season.
The idea of a move to California also appeals because of the lifestyle it would allow his family and the proximity of his David Beckham Academy, which was launched at the LA Galaxy stadium.
Beckham was bemused by news Mijatovic told Sky Italia that Madrid's offer of a new two-year deal had been shelved. When Beckham's representatives spoke to Mijatovic, he told them he had been misquoted and had simply said no contract had been agreed yet.
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