Details Of Real Deal Reveal How Keen Beckham Was To Join

Real Madrid's sporting director Jorge Valdano has revealed details of the deal that takes David Beckham to Madrid. And it is clear from Beckham's personal terms that the player put his eagerness to join the club above purely financial considerations.

When asked how difficult negotiations had been, Valdano replied: "Not difficult at all. We did not take him out of Manchester United; United opened the door for him to leave. All we had to do was embrace him with open arms."

Beckham has agreed to sign over 50% of every personal sponsorship contract he signs while a Real player. The Spanish giants insisted on a similar cut when buying Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo, and Valdano called it "the key to the negotiations".

He said: "We demand 50% of our players' image rights. We consider this issue indispensable because the other players have followed this policy. In the case of Beckham it was more complicated because his potential image is very impressive, but the player agreed."

"This agreement marked the player's wish to come to Real Madrid even if losing money. His personal publicity is 111 hours per year and he manages to do this during his holidays."

Beckham's salary offers further confirmation of his determination to join Real. He has accepted £4.2 million per year in wages, which is less than he was on at United.

It may not please Manchester United officials to hear that Real feel they got Beckham for a good price, especially as Madrid also regard the England captain as the best available player in the world.

Describing Beckham as a "football animal", Valdano said Barcelona's interest in Beckham, and his refusal to go there, meant United were left with little option but to accept the £18 million up front that Real offered.

"Having seen what Barcelona were prepared to pay, I can say David Beckham was a touch cheap," said Valdano. "Barcelona would have paid more for him but the decision of the player was fundamental to the argument."

"Manchester United were very professional in the negotiations, very practical, and helped things happen very quickly."

Valdano admitted that Beckham would earn less money than he might have if the deal had been otherwise constructed. But he maintained that the only sacrifice the player would have to make would be to spend time learn the Spanish language as quickly as possible.

"Communication is fundamental for him," Valdano said. "Learning Spanish is the only sacrifice we will ask him to make here. Apart from that he is just going to play football, that is all we want. He is a great midfield player and he can adapt to any position."

And in direct contrast to Sir Alex Ferguson's observations of Beckham in this week's "Sports Illustrated" magazine, Valdano added: "I have the impression that he is not interested in anything other than football. The impression that he cares too much about his show-business life is wrong."

"Despite all the media pressure he has the ability to concentrate on just his football."

"But all the players who have come here have that sort of pressure and bring that sort of entourage. All of them adapt perfectly well. David will. We will make him a better player - talent always grows when surrounded by other talent."