Beckham looking to leave Madrid immediately

By Duncan Shaw Jan 15, 2007, 12:52 GMT

Madrid - David Beckham is keen to leave Madrid immediately, according to reports in the Spanish and US media.

Sports daily Marca claims on Monday that Beckham and his representatives are looking for a way to rescind his contract with Real Madrid in order to move out to Los Angeles as soon as possible.

Initially, Beckham was going to see out his Real contract until June and move out to California in August.

However, most signs now point to Beckham leaving Madrid quickly.

On the one hand, his new club, Los Angeles Galaxy, and the Major Soccer League want him in California as soon as possible.

On the other hand, Real would be keen to see the back of him, now that coach Fabio Capello has made it clear he will not pick him again.

Marca quoted MLS chief Don Garber as saying that 'I am given to understand that David's lawyers are working to find a friendly exit from Madrid...We want to have him over here as soon as possible.'

In addition, LA Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop wants Beckham in his squad for the start of the new Major League Soccer season in April.

Yallop's side start their season on April 8 when LA Galaxy visit MLS champions Houston Dynamo.

The former England captain shocked the footballing world last week by agreeing a five-year contract with the Galaxy worth some 250 million dollars (190 million euros) after deciding not to renew his contract with Real.

The way in which Beckham announced the deal last Thursday has not gone down well in Madrid.

Capello said on Saturday that he had decided not to pick Beckham again 'since he has announced that he is joining another club.'

The Italian coach also stated that forwards Ronaldo and Antonio Cassano would neither be considered for selection, and that he was going to build a new team in Madrid without most of the club's veterans.

On Sunday Capello's new-look team beat Zaragoza 1-0 at home, with Beckham looking on from the stands.

The tight win vindicates Capello's decision to get rid of Beckham and several other ageing 'galacticos'.

On Sunday, Real president Ramon Calderon backed up Capello, and made it clear that he also did not like the way that Beckham had announced his Galaxy deal.

'Neither do I like the way that Beckham has behaved,' Calderon told radio station Onda Cero, 'announcing a deal with another club by video conference.'

On Monday television channel TeleMadrid claimed that Calderon 'would not be opposed' to a deal whereby Beckham's Madrid contract was rescinded quickly.

Beckham has been of massive help to Real's global merchandising strategy, though his on-field contribution has been more modest.

He will go down as the only foreign player not to win a major trophy in the famous white shirt, though he has never been unpopular with the fans.

Real's last success was the Spanish league title in June 2003, secured just days before Beckham's arrival.

Since then - despite Beckham's deadball skills and fighting spirit - the Spanish giants have won nothing, their most barren spell for more than 50 years.