BECKHAM SOAP OPERA RUMBLES ON
Diario AS has the headline 'Beckham has chosen Madrid', and
reports that Beckham will sign before the end of the month,
columnist Carmen Colina comments:
reports that Beckham will sign before the end of the month,
columnist Carmen Colina comments:
'Nobody should be fooled, David Beckham will play for Real
Madrid next season and his signing will happen once the
season (in Spain) is over. The England star only wants to
play for Madrid and he has already told his family and
friends and could make it public in the next few hours.'
Madrid next season and his signing will happen once the
season (in Spain) is over. The England star only wants to
play for Madrid and he has already told his family and
friends and could make it public in the next few hours.'
Marca, Diario Sport and El Mundo Deportivo all report that
Beckham is negotiating with Madrid and that Laporta has a
lot of work to do to get him to agree to a move to Barca.
Beckham is negotiating with Madrid and that Laporta has a
lot of work to do to get him to agree to a move to Barca.
The old chestnut of merchandise revenue won’t go away
either, financial experts Deloitte & Touche have stuck their
oar in. Their sporting analyst Fernando Gonzalez told the
PA:
“In the case of Barcelona, apart from Beckham`s contribution
to the sporting aspect, he would also reinforce and open
markets in which he is now a star - including Europe, Asia
and the United States. Beckham would increment the
merchandising revenues, reinforce the club image and would
increase the television and commercial revenues of the club
"The decision to make this type of signing is supported by
the sporting and financial strategy of the clubs. Apart from
the commercial achievements directly linked to the star
player, there is undoubtedly a contribution to the image
rights of the club."
Raddy Antic has also trumped up Beckham’s marketing value,
speaking on 5 Live he said:
"He is a player with a capacity for doing good things and
bad things. He is especially good for marketing purposes.
Teams like Manchester United are looking for people like
this. The newspapers are talking about it. It has been very
good for Laporta."
When asked about Beckham’s footballing ability, and whether
he’d want him in his team he said:
"It is difficult to say, I don't want to say. In my position
I don't want to talk about it. If I say my opinion I think
someone will use that opinion for his matter. I have been a
long time in this business. The election is to come on
Sunday. Nobody knows what will happen afterwards."
Meanwhile Laporta has urged Beckham to choose Barcelona over
Madrid:
“I recommend him to come to Barcelona because he will be one
of the leaders of the team. We will have a very strong team
in order to win more titles and to be a better spectacle for
the fans and I think he will enjoy Barca more than Real
Madrid. I respect Real Madrid, as I respect all teams, but
the project of Barca is better.”
either, financial experts Deloitte & Touche have stuck their
oar in. Their sporting analyst Fernando Gonzalez told the
PA:
“In the case of Barcelona, apart from Beckham`s contribution
to the sporting aspect, he would also reinforce and open
markets in which he is now a star - including Europe, Asia
and the United States. Beckham would increment the
merchandising revenues, reinforce the club image and would
increase the television and commercial revenues of the club
"The decision to make this type of signing is supported by
the sporting and financial strategy of the clubs. Apart from
the commercial achievements directly linked to the star
player, there is undoubtedly a contribution to the image
rights of the club."
Raddy Antic has also trumped up Beckham’s marketing value,
speaking on 5 Live he said:
"He is a player with a capacity for doing good things and
bad things. He is especially good for marketing purposes.
Teams like Manchester United are looking for people like
this. The newspapers are talking about it. It has been very
good for Laporta."
When asked about Beckham’s footballing ability, and whether
he’d want him in his team he said:
"It is difficult to say, I don't want to say. In my position
I don't want to talk about it. If I say my opinion I think
someone will use that opinion for his matter. I have been a
long time in this business. The election is to come on
Sunday. Nobody knows what will happen afterwards."
Meanwhile Laporta has urged Beckham to choose Barcelona over
Madrid:
“I recommend him to come to Barcelona because he will be one
of the leaders of the team. We will have a very strong team
in order to win more titles and to be a better spectacle for
the fans and I think he will enjoy Barca more than Real
Madrid. I respect Real Madrid, as I respect all teams, but
the project of Barca is better.”
Speaking at a press conference yesterday he said:
“Our team needs a leader with the quality of David Beckham.
Our club is interested in signing him and the city wants him
to come. I have heard that he is a very nice person and I
hope to convince him that the move will be of interest to
him. We have offered this deal to Manchester United and they
have accepted our position.
Our club is interested in signing him and the city wants him
to come. I have heard that he is a very nice person and I
hope to convince him that the move will be of interest to
him. We have offered this deal to Manchester United and they
have accepted our position.
“He has a special condition to be a superstar and Barcelona
need a superstar like him. A player like David Beckham is a
logical consequence of our project. We want to invest in the
football team in order to put Barcelona in the top line of
football. I respect his position and the position of his
agents but I have to tell him that Barcelona is a club that
has 103 years of history and I am sure we can explain to him
about the enthusiasm the city and Catalunya has for men like
him. I hope to convince him that, for him, the best thing is
to come here. With him we will win titles and I am sure he
will enjoy playing football at our club.”
need a superstar like him. A player like David Beckham is a
logical consequence of our project. We want to invest in the
football team in order to put Barcelona in the top line of
football. I respect his position and the position of his
agents but I have to tell him that Barcelona is a club that
has 103 years of history and I am sure we can explain to him
about the enthusiasm the city and Catalunya has for men like
him. I hope to convince him that, for him, the best thing is
to come here. With him we will win titles and I am sure he
will enjoy playing football at our club.”
Laporta also told Sky Sports News:
“We have followed the rules of FIFA, and that meant first of
all we had to arrange a deal with the club because Beckham
has a contract with an important club like Manchester
United. We did it, and now we have the possibility to
establish our position with the agent of the player. I am
sure a club like Real Madrid understand they have to follow
the rules. We have the capacity to go faster and in this
sense we are very proud to have a deal with Manchester
United.”
all we had to arrange a deal with the club because Beckham
has a contract with an important club like Manchester
United. We did it, and now we have the possibility to
establish our position with the agent of the player. I am
sure a club like Real Madrid understand they have to follow
the rules. We have the capacity to go faster and in this
sense we are very proud to have a deal with Manchester
United.”
Anyone remember PFA chief Gordon Taylor? He’s accused United
of treating Beckham worse than a second hand car:
of treating Beckham worse than a second hand car:
Speaking on GMR he said:
"I can't see him agreeing to go anywhere - as one of the
world's finest players, never mind one of Manchester
United's finest players - that doesn't suit him. It’s not a
way I'd like to be treated. He's one of our finest members
and he's been so loyal to Manchester United over the years,
giving them so much in terms of footballing ability.
"I just find it incredulous that a club of Manchester
United's stature should be issuing official statements with
a person who is not officially in charge at Barcelona. And
to use David's name really, as has happened before in Spain
with other clubs, with the intent of winning an election for
president of the club is wrong.
"And for Manchester United to become embroiled in that I
don't think does them any credit. From David's point of
view it's harping back to many times past in the bad old
days when it was just a matter for a club to decide whether
a player goes or stays.
"Things have moved on and it's not the way I would want one
of my members even in the lowest club in the Third Division
to be treated. You wouldn't want to sell your second-hand
car in such a way, never mind one of your finest assets.
"Surely you would expect with someone like David Beckham,
the club to get together and be issuing joint statements if
it's been decided that there will be a parting of the ways.
This has happened before with other players who have chosen
to stay at a club. It takes two to tango these days. I just
find it obviously inflammatory and maybe done with a purpose
but it doesn't settle well.
"With me being in Manchester and having such high regard for
David I know he must feel quite insulted. It's just when it
comes to an official statement that gives it some
credibility on United's feelings, and then suddenly David
has got his own position to think about. But I believe he
has got another two years of his contract to run and he has
a choice of whether he stays or whether he goes.
"That will be a choice for him, not some person who is using
his name to get control of a club. I just don't understand
why and for what purpose that Manchester United have allowed
themselves to become involved in an election for the
presidency of a club in Spain. It's pure exploitation of
David and for Manchester United to be part of it I find
quite incredulous as one of the biggest clubs in the world."
Hierro has shrugged off the Beckham talk as Real push for
the title:
“I can't see any reason why Beckham is important here at the
moment. He is not going to play for us before the end of
this season. The most important people now are the 25
players who currently occupy the club dressing room. They
are the ones who are going to play. The press will have to
create all the interest about a signing because at the
moment the players here are the ones who are playing for the
title."
Roberto Carlos found time to have his say though:
"David is one of the great players of the world. I'm sure if
he has to choose he will opt for Real Madrid over
Barcelona."
The Mirror reports that Beckham will be due an £8m severance
package because he hasn’t asked to leave United. They also
quote an insider at AC Milan saying that they would swap
Shevchenko for Beckham:
"Milan are aware that Alex Ferguson is looking for a new
attacking player. They feel that Shevo will be the perfect
shadow to Ruud van Nistelrooy. They see the fact they can
offer a player of Shevchenko's quality as putting them in
pole position.
"Milan don't want to get involved in a bidding war with Real
Madrid and Barcelona. They don't want to inflate the price
so they have made a less public approach than Barcelona.
Laporta wants the publicity, Milan want the player.
"Beckham indicated he had a preference to go to Milan, but
it depended on the money offered. Milan made one offer but
have since bettered it. They are determined to build on
their Champions League team and want to rival Madrid in the
star status."
Meanwhile in the Daily Beckham, sorry the Sun, United ‘fans’
have spoken:
Terry Harrison of Ballymena, Co Antrim: "Alex Ferguson
should go, not David Beckham. Beckham saved his championship
campaign. Every time Becks appeared, he was the best player
on the pitch."
Tony Langley from Littlehampton, West Sussex:
"Where does the loyalty lie? With David Beckham! Keep him
where he belongs."
H E Loach, said:
"I have been a United supporter since the days of 'Big
Duncan'. If Beckham goes I will never watch or attend a
Manchester United game again. He is a role model for the
young. If United sell him, they deserve to get stuffed by
Arsenal next season. My message to David and his family is
'Don't let the b******* grind you down'."
Roger Bonner, of Gosport, Hampshire:
"I have been a Chelsea fan for years, but still admire
Manchester United and David Beckham. I think the way Alex
Ferguson is treating Beckham is nothing short of
disgusting."
Andy Senft, of London: "If United want a chance at winning
the Champions League again, how can the manager justify
selling one his best players? I'm sorry Mr Ferguson, but the
60,000-plus fans you get each week are not there to watch
you! They spend their money to watch a fantastic, world-
class team of players - and that includes David Beckham."
Dennis Harding claimed: "Seems like the manager can't stand
a bit of competition, with Becks being in the limelight.
Sell Ferguson. The players made him what he is. He must be
worth a couple of bob or give him a free transfer back
across the border!"
Les, a 50-year United fan from Wigan, rapped:
"It's time Alex Ferguson left. It's also time he was held
responsible for all the other footballers' lives he has
ruined and for the bad footballers he has bought and the
money wasted on them. How can we replace a great player like
Beckham with the likes of Diego Forlan and Juan Veron, who
are not in his class?"
S and L Bush of Rotherham added:
"FerGOONson infuriates every football fan, not only
United's. He should be pensioned off. If anyone thinks he is
bigger than the club, it is him. Becks to stay!"
Line em all up and shoot em!
"I can't see him agreeing to go anywhere - as one of the
world's finest players, never mind one of Manchester
United's finest players - that doesn't suit him. It’s not a
way I'd like to be treated. He's one of our finest members
and he's been so loyal to Manchester United over the years,
giving them so much in terms of footballing ability.
"I just find it incredulous that a club of Manchester
United's stature should be issuing official statements with
a person who is not officially in charge at Barcelona. And
to use David's name really, as has happened before in Spain
with other clubs, with the intent of winning an election for
president of the club is wrong.
"And for Manchester United to become embroiled in that I
don't think does them any credit. From David's point of
view it's harping back to many times past in the bad old
days when it was just a matter for a club to decide whether
a player goes or stays.
"Things have moved on and it's not the way I would want one
of my members even in the lowest club in the Third Division
to be treated. You wouldn't want to sell your second-hand
car in such a way, never mind one of your finest assets.
"Surely you would expect with someone like David Beckham,
the club to get together and be issuing joint statements if
it's been decided that there will be a parting of the ways.
This has happened before with other players who have chosen
to stay at a club. It takes two to tango these days. I just
find it obviously inflammatory and maybe done with a purpose
but it doesn't settle well.
"With me being in Manchester and having such high regard for
David I know he must feel quite insulted. It's just when it
comes to an official statement that gives it some
credibility on United's feelings, and then suddenly David
has got his own position to think about. But I believe he
has got another two years of his contract to run and he has
a choice of whether he stays or whether he goes.
"That will be a choice for him, not some person who is using
his name to get control of a club. I just don't understand
why and for what purpose that Manchester United have allowed
themselves to become involved in an election for the
presidency of a club in Spain. It's pure exploitation of
David and for Manchester United to be part of it I find
quite incredulous as one of the biggest clubs in the world."
Hierro has shrugged off the Beckham talk as Real push for
the title:
“I can't see any reason why Beckham is important here at the
moment. He is not going to play for us before the end of
this season. The most important people now are the 25
players who currently occupy the club dressing room. They
are the ones who are going to play. The press will have to
create all the interest about a signing because at the
moment the players here are the ones who are playing for the
title."
Roberto Carlos found time to have his say though:
"David is one of the great players of the world. I'm sure if
he has to choose he will opt for Real Madrid over
Barcelona."
The Mirror reports that Beckham will be due an £8m severance
package because he hasn’t asked to leave United. They also
quote an insider at AC Milan saying that they would swap
Shevchenko for Beckham:
"Milan are aware that Alex Ferguson is looking for a new
attacking player. They feel that Shevo will be the perfect
shadow to Ruud van Nistelrooy. They see the fact they can
offer a player of Shevchenko's quality as putting them in
pole position.
"Milan don't want to get involved in a bidding war with Real
Madrid and Barcelona. They don't want to inflate the price
so they have made a less public approach than Barcelona.
Laporta wants the publicity, Milan want the player.
"Beckham indicated he had a preference to go to Milan, but
it depended on the money offered. Milan made one offer but
have since bettered it. They are determined to build on
their Champions League team and want to rival Madrid in the
star status."
Meanwhile in the Daily Beckham, sorry the Sun, United ‘fans’
have spoken:
Terry Harrison of Ballymena, Co Antrim: "Alex Ferguson
should go, not David Beckham. Beckham saved his championship
campaign. Every time Becks appeared, he was the best player
on the pitch."
Tony Langley from Littlehampton, West Sussex:
"Where does the loyalty lie? With David Beckham! Keep him
where he belongs."
H E Loach, said:
"I have been a United supporter since the days of 'Big
Duncan'. If Beckham goes I will never watch or attend a
Manchester United game again. He is a role model for the
young. If United sell him, they deserve to get stuffed by
Arsenal next season. My message to David and his family is
'Don't let the b******* grind you down'."
Roger Bonner, of Gosport, Hampshire:
"I have been a Chelsea fan for years, but still admire
Manchester United and David Beckham. I think the way Alex
Ferguson is treating Beckham is nothing short of
disgusting."
Andy Senft, of London: "If United want a chance at winning
the Champions League again, how can the manager justify
selling one his best players? I'm sorry Mr Ferguson, but the
60,000-plus fans you get each week are not there to watch
you! They spend their money to watch a fantastic, world-
class team of players - and that includes David Beckham."
Dennis Harding claimed: "Seems like the manager can't stand
a bit of competition, with Becks being in the limelight.
Sell Ferguson. The players made him what he is. He must be
worth a couple of bob or give him a free transfer back
across the border!"
Les, a 50-year United fan from Wigan, rapped:
"It's time Alex Ferguson left. It's also time he was held
responsible for all the other footballers' lives he has
ruined and for the bad footballers he has bought and the
money wasted on them. How can we replace a great player like
Beckham with the likes of Diego Forlan and Juan Veron, who
are not in his class?"
S and L Bush of Rotherham added:
"FerGOONson infuriates every football fan, not only
United's. He should be pensioned off. If anyone thinks he is
bigger than the club, it is him. Becks to stay!"
Line em all up and shoot em!