Inter cast net in effort to catch Beckham
By Oliver Kay ( Times Online)
INTER MILAN are considering a summer bid for David Beckham, having been less than convinced by his declarations of loyalty to Manchester United. Real Madrid would be the England captain’s preferred destination if he were to leave Old Trafford, but their interest at present is less than that of Inter, who have been encouraged after making inquiries through intermediaries.
The Italian club has been monitoring Beckham for the past two years and, aware that his future at United is highly uncertain, it is Inter who have shown most interest in his services of late. Real have yet to decide whether to make an offer for the midfield player or to focus instead on strengthening the defence, which let them down in the European Cup semi-final defeat by Juventus.
Beckham said a fortnight ago that he hoped to stay with United, but sources continue to suggest that he would be favourable to Italy or, in particular, Madrid. The 28-year-old has been made aware that his immense global appeal will be enhanced by a transfer overseas and, with cracks appearing in his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, now is considered the ideal time.
Ferguson, exasperated by the player’s outside interests, would certainly encourage the plc board to accept any offer in the region of £30 million. The board’s instinctive opposition to selling its most marketable asset, meanwhile, has been tempered by the growing concern that he will not sign an extension to his £90,000-a-week contract, which has two years to run.
Massimo Moratti, the Inter president, suggested in February that he would love to sign Beckham, even though Ryan Giggs seemed a more realistic target at the time. Two weeks later, Moratti was reported to have met Beckham’s wife, Victoria, on one of her visits to Milan.