Beckham was an opportunity - and we took it: Real Madrid president

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez went back over the mechanics of England star David Beckham's transfer, saying the club swooped once they knew the player wanted to come.

Perez and Real had spent months denying their intention of landing the midfielder and Perez said it was only when it became clear Manchester United were ready to sell and that they learned the player also wanted to come to Madrid that they jumped in.

"I hadn't spoken to Beckham beforehand. People told me Beckham was for sale and that the only club he wanted to leave Manchester for was Real Madrid," Perez told Cadena Ser radio on Friday.

Perez said news that Barcelona had made an offer confirmed that there was a chance of Beckham being available.

"We entered negotiations with Manchester and reached an agreement in two days. It was an opportunity and we took it," Perez said.