I´ve got Becks
Barcelona are ready to announce they have completed a £30million deal to sign David Beckham. In an exclusive interview with SunSport, the tycoon bidding to take over the Spanish club revealed Manchester United have offered to sell Becks to them. Joan Laporta and his deputy Sandro Rosell have spoken to United chief executive Peter Kenyon. Rosell said: " I have had good talks with Kenyon and he has indicated to me he is interested in the possibility of Beckham being sold to Barcelona. I am very optimistic about Beckham signing. I can´t believe the club have not talked with Beckham´s people if they are giving us this indication." Laporta has an agreement to begin negotiations with midfielder Beckham, 28, and his advisers - if he is elected as Barca´s new president on June 15.
Neil Custis, The Sun
Real sneering
Real Madrid are sneering at Barcelona´s efforts to sign David Beckham. The world´s most successful club believe they have only to snap their fingers for England´s captain to come running. The nine-times European champions orchestrated the revelations of adidas chief Herbert Hainer that Beckham´s prime sportswear sponsors see Madrid as " a great option." Madrid president Florentino Perez reckons he and United chief executive Peter Kenyon already have an agreement.
Ross Gregory, The Sun
Beckham and the numbers game
When David Beckham scrawls the most sought-after autograph in world sport, he weaves the famous No. 7 into his work of art. That could prove a problem if he moves to AC Milan or Real Madrid. Unfortunately for Beckham, his chosen number for Manchester United and England is designated at Real to a player who is synonymous with the Spanish capital, the home-spun hero Raul. At Milan, he would have to steal the shirt off Champions League hero Andriy Shevchenko. Indeed, there wouldn´t be much choice at the Bernabeu. Ronaldo, who would have liked the No. 9, worn by Fernando Morientes, had to settle for 11 and Luis Figo is not likely to hand over the 10. That leaves No. 8, the property of Steve McManaman, who made it clear yesterday he did not intend to take up Manchester City´s offer to re-integrate him into Premiership football.
Steve Curry, Daily Mail
Don´t break up this team, says Ruud
Ruud van Nistelrooy could not contain his excitement last night about the probable arrival of £10million Brazilian Ronaldinho at Old Trafford. Speaking in Holland ahead of his country´s Euro 2004 qualifier in Belarus tomorrow, Van Nistelrooy said: " It´s perfect, just perfect. It is fantastic news for the club and for me." While Van Nistelrooy was happy to talk about Ronaldinho, he steered clear of the subject of David Beckham´s future. However, Beckham remains a popular figure among his team-mates at Old Trafford and it goes without saying that they want him to stay. Van Nistelrooy said: " If the players we have now continue to grow together than we can get better. That is what is so exciting about Manchester United at the moment. We have a young squad, one that is United in every way."
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail
What else did Ruud say about Ronaldinho?
United feel third rate
Manchester United´s board have decided to sell David Beckham because they believe the club is no longer his No1 priority. The Old Trafford directors have grown increasingly alarmed at his off-field celebrity activities. They also believe that England rates higher up his scale of priorities than United. That is why they have decided to cash in now on the £30million-rated player. One senior club source said: " People in high positions at the club believe his priorities go like this - his own personal future, England and then Manchester United. And that is why it has been decided to part company now."
Neil Custis, The Sun
He´ll be my Barca king
David Beckham has been promised he will live like a king as leader of the ´new Barcelona´. In his first-ever newspaper interview, Barca presidential hopeful Joan Laporta told SunSport the England captain is the man who can lead them back to the summit of world football. Laporta is ready to announce tomorrow that he has a deal in place to sign Beckham if he wins control of the club in just over a week. And he believes landing Beckham would be one of the greatest moves in the famous Spanish club´s history. Laporta said: " The way David Beckham plays the game, he is guaranteed to be a star here in Barcelona. The fans will love him. I have always admired him as a player. These are the reasons we want him here. He can be the leader of the new Barcelona."
Neil Custis, The Sun
Dream team: Barca want Henry and Becks
Barcelona will try to land a £60m dream team of David Beckham and Thierry Henry - if Joan Laporta is elected president. Laporta, favourite to gain the top post at the Spanish club, has already been told by Manchester United they will not sell Beckham. Now he plans to try to sign Arsenal striker Henry in a bid to rival Real Madrid´s all-star team. Laporta will also be told by Arsenal there is no way they will sell French ace Henry, who reportedly signed a three-year extension to his Gunners´ contract last month. Laporta has already upset Arsenal by persuading Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber, who is available on a free transfer from Fenerbahce, to commit himself to Barcelona. Highbury boss Arsene Wenger had earmarked Recber as a replacement for his former No.1 David Seaman.
Danny Fullbrook, Daily Star
Paris battle to keep Ron
Paris St Germain are fighting tooth and nail to keep Ronaldinho out of the clutches of Manchester United. Old Trafford chief executive Peter Kenyon agreed a £10m deal with the Brazilian´s agent and brother Roberto Assis in Paris on Wednesday. But new PSG president Francis Graille is refusing to listen to United´s offer - despite Ronaldinho having a gentleman´s agreement to quit the French club this summer.
Danny Fullbrook, Daily Star
Ronaldinho: I may be ugly but I´m very charming
Ronaldinho brings Brazil´s beautiful game to the Premiership insisting: " I am ugly but what I do have is charm." Manchester United´s £9million new boy aims to wow English football - and is sure to wow the ladies if he lives up to his playboy reputation. The midfield genius fell in love with football as a kid when he watched Maradona juggling an orange with his feet. Now he cannot wait to show off his own silky skills for United after moving from Paris St Germain. Ronaldinho, 23, said: " I love the big occasion - the ones you think about days before. You think about the dribbles, the passes, the goals you are going to pull off. From the start of my career, every time there is a big match, I play well. I don´t know why."
David Barnes, The Sun
Sir Alex goes South
Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing to follow up the capture of Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldinho with a surprise £4million swoop for Gareth Southgate. The Manchester United manager is facing a defensive crisis and has decided to battle it out with his former assistant, Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren, to take the England star to Old Trafford from The Riverside.
David McDonnell, Daily Mirror
You look a right lemon, my son
Bleach boy Ryan Giggs’s new blond hairdo is so bad even his DAD was taking the mickey last night. The Sun revealed yesterday how the Man United winger had dyed his jet black bonce bright lemon yellow. But 29-year-old Ryan’s dad Danny Wilson burst out laughing when we asked him about it. Danny even said his son’s style was out of date, adding: “He’s ten years too late. It really is quite bad.” But balding Danny, of Roath, Cardiff, added: “Mind you, I wish I had enough hair to have one myself.” Welsh wonder Ryan unveiled his new bonce while playing golf — then showed it off again shopping in Manchester city centre.
Chris Riches, The Sun
Mr green-Becks
If David Beckham can find a hole in a wall with one of his free kicks he’s sure to spot one in Beverly Hills. Becks, 28, was spotted heading for an ATM to get more greenbacks during a trip to Rodeo Drive’s glitzy shops. The Man United ace had big-spending wife Posh in tow, plus kids Brooklyn and Romeo.
News Reporter, The Sun
Hello, Rio bruvo
Limping England centre back Rio Ferdinand played family defender yesterday — by helping his little brother safely across the road. Injured Rio, 24, was helping mum Janice, 41, with food shopping in Manchester when he led Jeremiah, four, by the hand. The United star is due for a knee op on Tuesday.
News Reporter, The Sun(=>C´etait important de le signaler^^ ^^)
Stam-pede is on for £4m Jaap
Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool have been alerted by news that Jaap Stam is leaving Lazio for a knockdown £4million. The powerhouse Dutch defender cost £16m when he left Manchester United in 2001. But now Lazio are resigned to losing him for a fraction of that fee after failing to pay his wages for six months. Director Luca Baraldi said: " If the player has offers to leave, he can do so because Lazio is not a prison." Juventus and Inter Milan are slugging it out for the 30-year-old. But Bobby Robson, Arsene Wenger and Gerard Houllier are also in the market for a world- class centre-half. And they are trying to persuade Stam to return to the Premiership, where he spent three successful years at Old Trafford.
Mark Irwin, The Sun
