FC Barcelona’s new president wants to know within the next few days whether English star David Beckham will accept the ”fantastic offer” to join the Catalan club.
Joan Laporta, who faces strong competition from Real Madrid for the Manchester United midfielder, said he hopes to speak with the England captain or his agents soon.
”This week, at least, we want to begin discussions with the aim of arriving at an agreement,” Laporta said on Tuesday. ”There is no deadline but we have to know who we can count on and who we can’t.
”We hope that we will have a decision, a solution, in this matter this week.”
Laporta swept to power on Sunday after making Beckham’s signing the centerpiece of his campaign platform.
Manchester United announced last week it had accepted a transfer bid from Barcelona — reportedly worth up to £30 million ($48 million) — for Beckham. The move was contingent on Laporta winning the election and Beckham agreeing to contract terms.
But Beckham’s management company said the player was being used as a ”political pawn” and had no plans to meet with Laporta or his aides. Real Madrid is now considered the favourite to sign Beckham.
Spain’s leading sports daily, Marca, said on Tuesday the deal with Real Madrid would be completed within 10 days.
Laporta said he was making a ”fantastic offer for David Beckham to be a co-leader of our team”.
But he said he realised Beckham was faced with a ”very difficult decision”.
”If Beckham doesn’t come, we have other alternatives which are just as viable,” Laporta said, without giving details.
”If we can’t get the player, we would be sad, but at the same time we have another solution.”
Laporta’s press secretary, Juan Jose Castillo, claimed Barcelona’s offer was ”more interesting than Madrid’s”.
”Madrid is full of stars,” Castillo said.
”But here we’ll consider him more important. He’s going to be the leader of our new project. If he considers that, then we’re sure he’ll come.”
Barcelona has failed to qualify for next season’s Champions Cup or Uefa Cup competitions. Real Madrid, the nine-time European champion, will be back in the Champions Cup.
Madrid’s sports director, Jorge Valdano, said his club would not discuss Beckham until the Spanish season ends this weekend.
”My intention is not to be at war with Barcelona,” he said.
National daily El Mundo said Madrid had offered €25- million ($21,2-million) plus a player to United for Beckham.
Beckham, who has made no public comment since the Barcelona bid was accepted, is due to arrive in Japan on Wednesday at the start of a promotional tour which will also take him to Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. – Sapa-AP