Improved deal ready for Beckham to sign

Manchester United remain hopeful of agreeing a new contract with David Beckham before he travels to the World Cup.

Manchester United remain hopeful of agreeing a new contract with David Beckham before he travels to the World Cup.

According to reports, the contract has been drawn up and all that remains is for the England skipper to approve the deal. But United insist nothing is imminent.

However, the club is confident of agreeing a deal with Beckham before he leaves for Japan later this month, a year on from when the talks started.

United and Beckham agreed on the midfielder's basic salary, believed to be between £70,000 sterling and £80,000 a week, several months ago.

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The sticking point has been the value of his image rights, but it is reported both sides have settled on the figure of £20,000 a week. That means Beckham's salary is set to rocket by over 300 per cent from his weekly earnings of around £28,000 to between £90,000 and £100,000.

As the transfer deadline has passed, Beckham technically cannot sign his new deal until the end of the season. However, because the contract has been backdated to the start of this season, he will pick up backpay reportedly of about £4.6 million.

United have already budgeted for Beckham's new deal in their latest half-year figures.