Beckham leads the way in transfer talk
With just over two weeks left until the transfer window opens, Real Madrid's David Beckham is top of the speculation league as Europe's big clubs prepare for next season.
With just over two weeks left until the transfer window opens, Real Madrid's David Beckham is top of the speculation league as Europe's big clubs prepare for next season.
The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich have already agreed deals in advance for Robin van Persie, fellow Dutchman Arjen Robben and Iran striker Vahid Hashemian respectively, even though the moves can only be registered from May 17.
Brazil's Rivaldo, a free agent, is touting for a club.
But bigger transfer deals could well be on the way and few are attracting the kind of intense speculation as that generated in Britain by the possible premier league return of Beckham.
The England captain's high-profile move from Manchester United to Real for $40 million last year was heralded as a new lease of life.
The move looked good for Beckham, whose relationship with United manager Alex Ferguson had soured, and for Real, who acquired the most marketable commodity in a global soccer business.
But after a promising start, Beckham's form has dipped sharply in the Primera Liga, where a demanding press are already turning against him.
Top-selling sports daily Marca have dubbed Beckham 'Forrest Gump' after the hapless movie character, while the wisdom of signing such an attack-minded midfielder has been questioned given Real's defensive frailties.
Widely publicised allegations of an extra-marital affair, the fact that his wife Victoria and children have remained in England and a decision not to renew the lease on his Madrid mansion after May have all fuelled the speculation.
Chelsea, buoyed by the huge wealth of Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, are tipped as the most likely destination for the Londoner.
Beckham, who turns 29 on Sunday, could hardly return to United while Ferguson remains in charge and Beckham's combined transfer fee and wage demands would be tough to swallow for the money men at champions Arsenal.
"He would interest me if he was for sale, but I know we would not be able to afford him. It's as simple as that," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told reporters at their Hertfordshire training ground on Friday.
Aware that Beckham also has a home in Hertfordshire, Wenger quipped: "Arsenal, though, would be good for him because he lives close by. He would not need a helicopter to come to training, he could come on a bicycle."
Chelsea, however, have the necessary cash and ambition to add yet another top player to a squad that has already been re-built once since last July.
Beckham, meanwhile, has insisted he is happy in Spain, enjoying his football and will be a Real player next season, in a house he is looking to buy in Madrid.
United's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has also been sufficiently drawn into the rumour mill for the club to issue a 'hands-off' warning to Barcelona and Real.
"I have written to the clubs concerned and told them Ruud is not for sale," United chief executive David Gill told MUTV.
Spain, where Real have also been linked with a bid for AS Roma playmaker Francesco Totti, and England are not the only major leagues facing transfer speculation.
In Italy, France striker David Trezeguet is widely tipped to leave Juventus, while AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani went public on Thursday by saying the Serie A leaders are planning two major signings.