CUT PRICE BECKHAM ??

Manchester United have conceded that the argument over where David Beckham will play next season is over and that they may have to accept a smaller transfer fee for the England captain than they had hoped for.

The convoluted move from Manchester United is now down to details about money and players who might be swapped by Real Madrid. United have been insistent on a cash figure in the region of the £25m that they had agreed with Juan Laporta, who has now been elected president of Barcelona, but Real wanted to pay less and offer a player as a makeweight.

As Beckham seems insistent that Madrid will be his destination, the Liga leaders are in a position of strength when it comes to haggling the price. It is believed that Beckham has all but agreed personal terms with the club.

It is believed the subject of player exchange was raised by the Real director Pedro Lopez at his meeting last Friday with United's David Gill in Sardinia - where Kenyon was on holiday.

Whatever the eventual deal for Beckham, the fee will represent a huge reduction in United's original valuation. When the Beckham story first emerged (before United played Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals) it was said to be a £38m deal. That has subsequently come down to £30m, £25m and is set to drop even lower.

So far there has been no hint of a fans' backlash at Old Trafford, with the latest poll showing 51% backing Beckham's sale