MADRID, Feb. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- David Beckham has been a goal for many English soccer clubs, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said in an interview with Real Madrid television on Thursday night.

    However, Perez hoped the midfielder would extend his contract with Real Madris at the end of the season.

    "All the English teams are fighting to try and get him to return there, but we are delighted with him," said Perez.

    "With regard to renewing his contract, he has still got a year and a half left and we've got time to keep talking. But I like to do these things at the end of the season otherwise they develop into a soap opera.

    "People sometimes overlook that Beckham plays some great games because it was said that we only signed him to sell shirts. He has given Real some great evenings of football and he will give them many more."

    Beckham joined Real on a four-year contract from Manchester United in June 2003 for a fee of up to 35 million euros (42.26 million U.S. dollars). Enditem