Real Madrid president wants Beckham to stay

PARIS: Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has said he would like David Beckham to stay in Spain.

"Beckham has shown that he is a great player, with great pride," said Calderon, who was in Paris on Sunday to watch the Roland Garros tennis tournament.

"The Madrid fans love him," he added, "and I would like him to stay at the club."

Calderon then claimed that there was a clause in Beckham's contract with Los Angeles Galaxy by which the player could back out.

"We will have to sit down with him and his agents," he said, "and with sporting director Pedja Mijatovic, and decide amongst all of us."

Calderon admitted that 'there was annoyance' when Beckham announced his LA deal in January, which led to coach Fabio Capello banishing the midfielder to the stands for a month, until pressure from the players forced him to relent.

Since February Beckham has been fundamental in Real's resurgence, almost as much as top scorer Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Beckham has so far won nothing in his four-year stint in Madrid but will sign of as league champion next Sunday if Real beat mid-table Mallorca at home.