United confirm European interest in Beckham

Manchester United have issued a statement to the Press Association confirming clubs from Italy and Spain have "expressed a firm interest" in signing David Beckham.

England captain Beckham has been persistently linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona and with Italian Champions League winners AC Milan.

United’s statement read: “Manchester United can confirm today that clubs from Italy and Spain have expressed a firm interest in signing David Beckham.

“David’s advisers, SFX, have also been approached by clubs independently and we are in regular and close contact with them regarding the status of those discussions, which are ongoing.

“David has been kept informed while on holiday.”