Real Madrid to move as Man Utd can't resist £38M Beckham bid

Manchester United's plc board would find it difficult to turn down a £38 million bid for David Beckham, it is claimed today.

The Times says United board members have realized that the time could be right to cash in on the England skipper, particularly with his long-term future at the club still on shaky ground.

Beckham's £90,000-a-week deal is due to expire in the summer of 2005 and negotiations over a renewal are still to begin.

It's understood Beckham, himself, is ready to move abroad, with Spain being his preferred destination.

Although not overly convinced of Beckham's on-field ability, Real president Florentino Perez has made no secret of his admiration of Beckham's pull off the pitch.

The club's sports chief, Jorge Valdano, confirmed last week that Real would again seek to sign a "galactico" in the close-season.