David Beckham is set to become the first footballer to be paid more for his image than his performance under a radical contract being considered by his lawyers and Manchester United.

With preliminary talks on Beckham's contract under way, United are keen to buy the image rights to the player, believing that his global marketability and name could be used to harness the expansion of the club around the world.

Sports marketing lawyers claim that given Beckham's marketing potential his image rights under a new contract could earn him more money than he will receive for taking to the pitch and that other British players will also negotiate similar deals in the near future. Reports suggest the new contract will make him the highest paid player in Britain.

Beckham's lawyers are planning to negotiate an image rights component within the contract which would reward him for United's use of his name. He would also be required to do promotional work around the world, particularly the Far East.

Under the current system, United's players receive a standard and uniform fee within their contract for promotional work related to the club and use of their name in merchandising, as is the case with most other British players.

Not all United's players however will be in a position to negotiate lucrative image-rights contracts. There was no such deal for the striker Andy Cole, who signed a new four-year contract last weekend although a flat fee was included for promotional work.

Other players whose contracts are also up for renewal along with Beckham's in 18 months' time are Jaap Stam, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

Other leading clubs are also planning to secure the image rights of their high-profile players but Beckham's are expected to be the costliest and most valuable in terms of their earning potential to United.

Nic Couchman, a sports marketing lawyer who specialises in image rights and who has negotiated a number of contracts for Premier League footballers, said: "Beckham is an icon and has a value at United that is way beyond most other players. Footballers like him are increasingly saying to their clubs that if you want to use my name in merchandising then you have to pay me more money. He will receive more money for his image than playing under any new contract."

Image rights contracts are common among continental footballers including those based in Britain.

Couchman added: "The popularity of image rights contracts has increased with the arrival of foreign players in England. Clubs are also looking to maximise their commercial activities off the field and believe that players should be helping their commercial prospects. They want to stop players from doing outside competitive work and get them involved in their own commercial programmes. It's an inevitable part of the commercialisation of football."

United will also turn their attentions to Stam, Giggs and Gary Neville over the coming months. They have at least 18 months left on their current deals and United hope to agree improved contracts soon.

Stam and Neville are keen to sign again on the dotted line, as is Giggs, who has already said he would like a four or five year-contract.

United will also soon begin a second wave of contract talks with Teddy Sheringham, Denis Irwin and Raimond van der Gouw, whose present deals expire in the summer.