Real Madrid appear to be bringing pressure to bear on David Beckham to either sign up or ship out in the January transfer window.

Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has warned the former England captain that the Spanish giants want to sort out his contract by next week.

But the player's representative appeared to indicate last week that Beckham wanted more time to decide, insisting a decision one way or the other would be made by March.

Beckham's existing deal at the Bernabeu is due to expire in June and he has been free to negotiate with other clubs since the start of January, though his representative Simon Oliveira insists Real are the only club he is currently talking to.

The 31-year-old has found his opportunities limited at the Bernabeu this season under coach Fabio Capello, but Real are nevertheless keen to retain his services.

Mijatovic said: "Several months ago we presented an offer to renew his contract due to his importance not only from a sporting sense but from an image one.

"He wanted some time to think about it but we are in a situation where we lack time and we have to react now. Next week we will deal with this matter."

Oliveira seemed to suggest last week that he and Beckham were working to a longer time frame.

"There is a significant deal on the table from Real," he said at the time. "It's slightly more than he's on at the moment.

"They are the only club we are genuinely talking to at the moment and another meeting is scheduled for the second week of January."

He continued: "David intends to play a major role for Real Madrid for the remainder of the season.

"He wants to take time over this decision. It will be the last significant deal of his football career. He will know by March what he is going to do."

Beckham has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer in the United States following a change in the rules governing MLS franchises allowing them to self-fund the wages of one player beyond the basic league pay structure.

He has indicated he would only return to England if it was to play for Manchester United.