Premiership: United and Beckham still ‘adrift’ over contract talks

Peter Kenyon admits he and David Beckham are frustrated that the Manchester United star’s contract negotiations are still dragging on.

The United chief executive had hoped that Beckham would have signed by Christmas and claims the two sides are still ‘‘adrift’’ despite eight months of talks.

However, although the negotiations have gone on longer than Kenyon had expected, he is still upbeat that a deal will eventually be agreed.

He claims the England skipper still wants to stay at United and that they remain keen to keep him.

‘‘I think we’re close, but still a bit adrift,’’ said Kenyon on MUTV.

‘‘I guess we’re all getting a bit frustrated by that. But we want him to sign and he wants to be a Manchester United player and I’m sure we’ll get there.

‘‘It has gone on longer than we all thought for all the right reasons.

‘‘These things take a long time. These are big contracts for an important period of time for him and a big contract and important issues for the club so we’ve got to get it right.

‘‘I’m sure he will continue to be a Manchester United player and that will be for the benefit of everybody.

‘‘So I share the frustrations like he does and our supporters do.

‘‘But the deal has got to be the right deal for both parties and one that we can look each other in the eye and live with for years to come.’’

Beckham, whose current deal expires in the summer of 2003, reportedly wants a staggering £100,000-a-week (€162,229) to stay at Old Trafford, including a special image rights clause.