Election victory edges Laporta closer to Beckham deal

JOAN LAPORTA was last night elected as new president of Barcelona, clearing the first hurdle in his attempt to sign England captain David Beckham from Manchester United.

Laporta had his bid to sign the United midfielder accepted by the Old Trafford club last Tuesday, subject to several conditions.

They included the Catalan lawyer winning the club's elections, which he did, claiming 52.5% of the 51,520 votes cast by club members. Luis Bassat, who led the polls until Laporta announced his intention to sign Beckham, finished second with 31.8%.

However, it now remains to be seen whether Laporta can fulfil the next condition the player himself agreeing to the transfer.

When United unveiled the deal, Beckham's advisors responded by saying they had no plans to meet with Laporta and it is believed the 28-year-old, who returned from a family holiday in the United States yesterday, is thought to prefer a move to Barca's great rivals, Real Madrid.

However, even though Real can offer Champions League football next season, while Barca are still vying for UEFA Cup qualification, Laporta has insisted all along he can convince Beckham to make the move if he can get the green light to begin talks with the player and his advisors. Laporta was accused by his election rivals of misleading supporters. But he said in the run-up to the election: "If he (Beckham) does not agree with me then he does not come, but I want to convince him because we need him; the club, the city and Spain."

However, if Beckham does not wish to join Barcelona the deal is effectively dead, one top football agent said last night.

Ian Elliott, who used to represent Paul Gascoigne, said he thought it doubtful Beckham will be seen in a Barcelona shirt.

"I think whoever is president of Barcelona does not matter because ultimately whoever it is must still agree terms with the player," he said.

"The possibility of David Beckham signing? I can't see any way he would want to go to Barcelona to play in the UEFA Cup.

"And if he does not want to go, the deal does not happen. Although he's still under contract to Manchester United and even if they have agreed a fee, they can't force him to go.

"They can stop him from playing, take him out of the team but they can't make him go, it's impossible.

"Normally the club and the player's representatives would go into talks to discuss personal terms but if the player says he doesn't want to go then it will not happen.

"Beckham holds the key to the deal, not Barcelona." Defeated presidential candidate, Bassat, admitted the Beckham factor had been crucial to Laporta's successful campaign.

"I think I stood with a coherent programme which was to build the club up from grass roots," Bassat told Catalan television station TVC.

"Laporta has gone for a name player and that has increased his vote." Laporta's camp yesterday revealed they are confident they will convince Beckham his future lies in Barcelona.

Clearly, Laporta must convince Stephens and Beckham to sit down for talks if he is to deliver the transfer which has formed the backbone of his election campaign.

Laporta's representative, Sandro Rossell, said: "We presented our project to Manchester United and they liked it very much.

"But the amount involved is confidential information. I'm sure that, if we get the opportunity to sit down and talk with Beckham's representatives, we'll reach an agreement both parties are happy with."