PARIS: Paris St Germain chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi wants former England captain David Beckham to extend his contract with the French club for another year.
“We are going to talk with him about it. But frankly, we really want to keep him with us next season,” Al Khelaifi told French sports daily L’Equipe yesterday.
Beckham, 37, joined the wealthy French side as a free agent in January on a five-month deal and said he was considering a second season at the capital club.
“He’s fantastic, on and off the pitch. Signing David has been one of my best decisions,” Al Khelaifi said.
“He’s outstanding as a person, as a player, as an ambassador. He has really made an impact in this squad. Everybody loves him.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has said UEFA have set a precedent by clearing Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to play against his former club in the Champions League quarter-finals today.
Ibrahimovic had originally been given a two-match ban after being sent-off in his side’s 2-1 win over Valencia in the first-leg of their last-16 round tie.
However, an appeal against the second match of his ban was upheld last week.
“What matters to me about this decision is the result. The fact that Ibra is going to be able to play,” he told reporters.
“I suppose that from now on UEFA will continue to use this same criteria in similar cases.
“We already know Ibrahimovic well. He is a great player. He scores goals, is quick and has great technical ability. With Ibra it is obvious that PSG is a better team.”
Zubizarreta was though delighted to have manager Tito Vilanova back amongst the party that flew to the French capital on Monday morning.
Vilanova only returned to Barcelona last week after undergoing cancer treatment in New York for the past two months and is expected to take his place on the touchline for the first time since January at the Parc des Princes. AGENCIES
