Real Madrid deny Chelsea move for Beckham

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez lunched with David Beckham last week to discuss his future.

Frenzied media speculation in England has suggested the England skipper was seeking a move back home after reports that his family was not settling in Madrid.

However, Real sports director Jorge Valdano insists Beckham will still be with Real next season, telling Revista de la Liga , "We are happy with the situation."

"The same problem he is having with media attention was suffered by [Luis] Figo, [Zinedine] Zidane and Ronaldo [during their respective debut seasons at Madrid]. I hope in the next season Beckham gets left in peace and starts enjoying Madrid and football without those problems that are difficult to control."

"On one hand he is the man with incomparable media power and on the other, a fantastic player from head to toe who is captain of England,' said Valdano. "His good football has allowed him to put the ball on top of the image."

"He is so very important for the media and there is no way for the club to balance out that power. It is something that has worried us because we would like him to live a more normal life, but it is difficult to be Beckham and normal."

However, an unnamed agent who is close to both Real and Chelsea told the Observer, "With a budget of £500m Chelsea can sign whichever player they want.

"There is a limit to what clubs can say no to. Even Madrid. The price seems to go up a few million if Chelsea come asking because everyone knows what kind of money they have."

"The problem for Chelsea is that they could end up with too many players. It is like buying a Porsche or a Ferrari and keeping it in the garage."