Becks vows to stay at Madrid

David Beckham has dismissed suggestions he will be leaving Real Madrid in January, insisting he wants to stay at the Bernabeu and be part of a trophy-winning team.

Beckham has been linked with moves back to Britain or to America as, with his current contract at Real running out next summer, he will be free to negotiate with other clubs in January.

The former England captain has also recently revealed his frustration at his limited playing opportunities at Real this season, adding weight to the belief he could be about to cut his ties with the club.

However, Beckham revealed talks about a new contract at Real were ongoing, and that he had no desire to leave the Spanish giants any time soon.

“I’m not going anywhere in January. I want to stay here this season and be part of the team because I believe we can win things this season,” he said.

“I am not considering any move at the minute because I am a Real Madrid player. I have always said I am happy here, and I’m not looking to move my family from here.

“The contract talks have been going on since last season, but there have been a lot of changes (at the club this summer), and they only started up again three weeks ago and there will be another meeting in the next week.”

Beckham joined Real from Manchester United in 2003 and his arrival at the Bernabeu has coincided with a barren spell for the club, who have not won any major silverware in the last three years.

However, a major overhaul in the summer saw Ramon Calderon elected as president, Fabio Capello appointed as coach, and a host of new players arrive at the club.

Although Real have suffered a mixed start to the season and received their share of criticism, Beckham still feels the future looks bright.

“I believe this year is the biggest opportunity we have of winning a title since I have been here, and I want to be part of that,” said Beckham, who insists it is silverware – and not finances – that are at the forefront of his thinking at the minute.

Beckham said he knew nothing about suggestions a pay-cut might be part of Real’s contract offer, and claimed: “It’s not about the money for me because at the end of the day, the only thing I care about is the football. I love playing football.

“Of course in football at the moment there is a lot of money. And of course the players earn a lot of money, that is the way it is.

“But Real Madrid have not mentioned to me that they want me to earn less money, so at the moment talks are carrying on.”

Beckham has played only a bit-part role at Real since Capello took over, with most of his recent appearances coming as a substitute.

This season is the first time since he arrived at the club that Beckham has been a replacement for more than two games in succession, but the 31-year-old is adamant the ongoing contract situation is not affecting his game.

“The contract talks don’t affect me on the pitch, because I am more professional and more focused about my football than to get worried about when the next contract talks are,” he said.

“I’m working hard to get into this team and get a game whenever possible. Whether that is in two, three or four games time, I have to be patient because we have very good players here.

“Just because I am not in the team, I am not one of those players who thinks I should be playing just because of my name.

“If I take my chance then I will be able to stay in the team. I believe this will be a winning team this season and I want to be part of that.”

Beckham missed Saturday’s 3-1 league win over Gimnastic Tarragona after sustaining an injury in the Copa del Rey draw with Ecija last week.

He was able to train with his team-mates today, but the midfielder admitted he was still troubled by his knee problem.

Real’s next match is against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League on Wednesday.