Real close door on move for Beckham

REAL MADRID have denied any interest in David Beckham in a five-point statement.

Speculation linking the England captain with a switch from Manchester United to the European champions has reached fever pitch since he started the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final between the two sides on the bench.

Only yesterday, Madrid daily Diario AS claimed the move was a done deal with the search for a “mansion” the only thing stopping the Beckhams relocating to the Spanish capital.

But Real have taken the unusual step of commenting on transfer reports in a bid to quash the stories.

“Surrounding the speculation regarding the supposed interest from Real Madrid in signing David Beckham, the club wishes to communicate that:

“1. No contact has existed between Real Madrid and Manchester United on this issue.

“2. Neither directly or indirectly has there been any contact between Real Madrid and Mr Beckham

“3. Despite the speculation surrounding this issue, Madrid have no intention of negotiating the transfer of Mr Beckham.

“4. Against the general policy of the club which never uses official sources to reject rumours, this press release has been issued with the objective of putting an end to the growing speculation which has circulated without any foundation linking Mr Beckham with Real Madrid.

“5. On top of the recent rumours, the unconditional friendly relationship between both clubs and the respect due for Mr Beckham still remains.”

The statement looks unequivocal but seasoned Madrid watchers retain some scepticism because the club denied they were preparing to sign Ronaldo from Inter Milan a few weeks before capturing the Brazil international last year.

Meanwhile Arsenal’s French duo, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires admitted yesterday that the Gunners have handed the Premiership title to Manchester United.

“The match at Bolton summed up our season,” Henry said in France. “We had the match in our hands and I am still asking myself how we conceded two goals in the last 15 minutes.

“We just have to hope that Manchester lose a few points. But we have to recognise that if they win the title we will have given it them as a gift.”

A frustrated Pires claimed that Arsene Wenger must draft in reinforcement for next season. “I want to stay but I would like to know what the club’s ambitions are for the next seasons. Because our run in the Champions League, and during this end of season, shows we need reinforcements.

“Patrick Vieira took risks with his knee for almost two months for the good of the team. It is a wonderful gesture but a club like Arsenal should avoid that.

“Now without Pat and Sol Campbell, the end of the season will be difficult. Mathematically we have not lost the title, but it will be difficult. Now, if we are not champions, we will only have to pin the blame on ourselves. ”

Arsenal’s search for a long term replacement for veteran goalkeeper David Seaman is set to take a scout

to Georgia tonight to watch Lokomotiv Tbilisi’s Giorgi Lomaia in action against Euro 2004 Group 10 opponents, Russia.