English champions Manchester United announced on Tuesday they were ready to accept a bid from Barcelona for England captain David Beckham. The unspecified offer followed a meeting between United officials and Joan Laporta, one of the candidates to become Barcelona’s club president in Sunday’s elections. The bid is subject to Laporta winning the presidential race and to midfielder Beckham, English soccer’s most famous player, agreeing terms with the Spanish club. The 28-year-old is reported to earn £100,000 ($165,000) a week after signing a contract with United in May 2002 taking him up to June 2005. Beckham’s transfer would almost certainly smash the British record of £30 million, paid to Leeds United by Manchester United for defender Rio Ferdinand in July 2002. “Manchester United confirms that club officials have met Joan Laporta, the leading candidate for the presidency of Barcelona,” a United statement said. “These meetings have resulted in an offer being made for the transfer of David Beckham to Barcelona. “This offer is subject to a number of conditions and critically to both Mr Laporta being elected President on June 15 and Barcelona subsequently reaching agreement with David Beckham on his personal contract. “Manchester United confirms that in the event that all of the conditions are fulfilled then the offer would be acceptable.” However, Beckham was said by his agent to be unhappy with the latest developments. His representatives SFX issued a statement on Tuesday saying: “David is very disappointed and surprised to learn of this statement (from United) and feels he is being used as a political pawn in the Barcelona presidential elections. “David’s advisors have no plan to meet Mr Laporta or his representatives.” Midfielder Beckham, who has been linked with a number of top Spanish and Italian clubs, is currently in the United States. Laporta’s bid to become Barcelona President has gained support in recent weeks, but advertising executive Lluis Bassat was favourite to win before Tuesday’s news. Laporta’s negotiations with Manchester United were carried out by Sandro Rosell, Laporta’s right-hand man. “We have an agreement with Manchester United,” Rosell told Radio Marca from Barcelona. “We’ve followed FIFA rules all along the way and after reaching agreement with the club we will now speak with the player,” he said. (Reuters)
