United confirm Beckham move

Manchester United today have accepted an offer for David Beckham from Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta.

Subject to a number of conditions being fulfilled, including Laporta winning the election on June 15 and the player agreeing personal terms, the Old Trafford club would be prepared to sell the 28-year-old.

A statement from the club read: “Manchester United confirms that club officials have met Joan Laporta, the leading candidate for the presidency of Barcelona.

“These meetings have resulted in an offer being made for the transfer of David Beckham to Barcelona.

“This offer is subject to a number of conditions and critically to both Mr Laporta being elected president on Sunday 15 June and Barcelona subsequently reaching agreement with David Beckham on his personal contract.

“Manchester United confirms that in the event that all of the conditions are fulfilled then the offer would be acceptable.”

The latest opinion poll shows Laporta still in second place behind Lluis Bassat, but the deficit has been slashed from 29% of the total vote three weeks ago to less than 3% now.

Even if all the conditions of the bid are met to Manchester United’s satisfaction, the Spanish club have still to convince Beckham that it would be the right career move for him.

The club have endured a torrid campaign in La Liga and have applied for entry to this summer’s Intertoto Cup after missing out on a place in both the Champions League and the UEFA Cup.

Whether Beckham would be prepared to accept – at best – a UEFA Cup place when he has been used to playing Champions League football, remains to be seen.

Reaching agreement over personal terms and image rights may also take time - at 28, Beckham is in his prime and will want to make sure the move is right for him financially as well as being a good career move.