Real Madrid: We can't deny Beckham interest any longer

Real Madrid were impressed by David Beckham's wonder-goal for England against Liechtenstein on Saturday.

Real sports chief Jorge Valdano has admitted he can no longer hide the club's interest in the Manchester United star - who could leave Old Trafford in the summer for £35 million.

Valdano said over the weekend, "I stand by what I said in an interview last week."

"David Beckham still looks very much like a Real Madrid transfer market project."

"We tried to dampen things down but there is such a level of interest in this story that we cannot erase what has been said so far."

"It will still be talked about at the end of the season."

"But I don't want to exaggerate our need to keep signing the greatest world players because we are doing well now and I don't want to tempt fate."