Real bolster defence and look to Van Nistelrooy

Real Madrid, encouraged by David Beckham's pledge to stay in Spain, have taken steps to right one of the key areas responsible for the club's disastrous season by signing Argentina defender Walter Samuel from AS Roma.

And reports said Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy could be the next big signing.

United appeared to be preparing for van Nistelrooy's departure by lining up a six million pound bid for relegated Leeds United's Alan Smith which British newspapers said would be accepted.

Real did not say how much they had paid for Samuel but sports daily Marca said they beat Chelsea for his signing with a 22 million euro bid.

Chelsea were ready to pay more but Samuel told his Italian club he wanted to move to Madrid.

It was another blow for Chelsea who had hoped to sign Beckham until the England captain told them on Thursday he would be staying in Spain.

"It feels like the job is not finished yet," said Beckham who has had to cope with a massive media assault following allegations of sex affairs.

Real team-mate Zinedine Zidane backed Beckham who has signed a lease on a new house close to Madrid where he will be joined by his wife Victoria and two sons, Brooklyn, five, and two-year-old Romeo next season.

"It is clear people have tried to dirty his name but he is a great guy," said Zidane.

"It's good that he wants to stay because he is an important player for Real Madrid," added the French star.

The powerful 26-year-old Samuel joined Roma from Argentina's Boca Juniors in 2000. He joins Real on a five-year deal.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said this week they would be making two or three signings to bolster a squad which collapsed in the last two months, crashing out of the European Champions League and losing the Spanish league to Valencia and Spanish Cup to Real Zaragoza.

"We've signed a central defender, a priority for us for next season," Real Madrid's sporting director-general Jorge Valdano said on the Real website.

Real Madrid finish this season without a trophy despite having a stable of stars including Brazil's Ronaldo, Zidane, Portugal's Luis Figo and Beckham.

Despite their attacking skills, Real paid for weaknesses in defence.

Van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Francesco Totti (AS Roma), Xabi Alonso (Real Sociedad), Joaquin (Betis) and Samuel Eto'o (Mallorca) have all been linked with the club.

And Perez is expected to announce any day that Benfica's Jose Antonio Camacho will be taking over as coach from Carlos Queiroz after just one year in charge.

Queiroz, formerly Alex Ferguson's deputy at Manchester United, could be on his way back to England.