Manchester United's managing director David Gill says he is confident that David Beckham will sign a new contract at Old Trafford "within weeks".
Speaking after the release of the club's interim accounts, Gill told TEAMtalk that negotiations between the player and management were at an advanced stage.
"David is a very important player and we are looking to secure his services. Things are moving along at a good pace, and I'm confident that we will see a new deal between David and the club within the next few weeks," Gill said.
And speaking at an England press conference yesterday, Beckham admitted that talks over his new deal were "rolling along nicely".
He said: "I'd like to think the talks (with United) will be sorted out before the World Cup."
The comments from Gill and Beckham came as United revealed they had made more money in the past six months than ever before, as a new TV deal with Sky and other merchandising deals kicked in.
The company reported a turnover of £81.8million in its interim results today with the figures covering the six months up to January 31 2002.
However, with players' wage demands increasing, all the extra revenue has failed to filter through to the bottom line, with profits only rising by £3million to £23.55million.
Despite being actively involved in the transfer market at the end of last season by snapping up Juan Sebastian Veron, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Carroll, the club made a profit on transfers after offloading the likes of Andy Cole, Jaap Stam, Jonathan Greening and Mark Wilson.
However, Gill has admitted that United's outlay on new players may not be so extravagant this pre-season.
"We spent about £50million in this six-month period on new players. I don't think we will be spending to quite that level again in the near future," he said.
"TV revenues rose 60 per cent compared to the same period last year. The club got £24million, mainly through the new deal with BSkyB.
"The club also benefited from hosting two England internationals, with money earned from catering and hospitality up five per cent on the same period 12 months ago."
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imagine that , we make 30mln pounds more turnover in half a year than loonypool make in an entire year. To think these small clubs are in our league is astonishing.
The difference is, our manager can buy an player he wants to. Even with all olur purchases we still made a 30mln pound profit. Will the scousers ever match that ?
Speaking after the release of the club's interim accounts, Gill told TEAMtalk that negotiations between the player and management were at an advanced stage.
"David is a very important player and we are looking to secure his services. Things are moving along at a good pace, and I'm confident that we will see a new deal between David and the club within the next few weeks," Gill said.
And speaking at an England press conference yesterday, Beckham admitted that talks over his new deal were "rolling along nicely".
He said: "I'd like to think the talks (with United) will be sorted out before the World Cup."
The comments from Gill and Beckham came as United revealed they had made more money in the past six months than ever before, as a new TV deal with Sky and other merchandising deals kicked in.
The company reported a turnover of £81.8million in its interim results today with the figures covering the six months up to January 31 2002.
However, with players' wage demands increasing, all the extra revenue has failed to filter through to the bottom line, with profits only rising by £3million to £23.55million.
Despite being actively involved in the transfer market at the end of last season by snapping up Juan Sebastian Veron, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Carroll, the club made a profit on transfers after offloading the likes of Andy Cole, Jaap Stam, Jonathan Greening and Mark Wilson.
However, Gill has admitted that United's outlay on new players may not be so extravagant this pre-season.
"We spent about £50million in this six-month period on new players. I don't think we will be spending to quite that level again in the near future," he said.
"TV revenues rose 60 per cent compared to the same period last year. The club got £24million, mainly through the new deal with BSkyB.
"The club also benefited from hosting two England internationals, with money earned from catering and hospitality up five per cent on the same period 12 months ago."
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imagine that , we make 30mln pounds more turnover in half a year than loonypool make in an entire year. To think these small clubs are in our league is astonishing.
The difference is, our manager can buy an player he wants to. Even with all olur purchases we still made a 30mln pound profit. Will the scousers ever match that ?
