London, June 17: Manchester United are preparing to sell England captain David Beckham to Real Madrid, it was widely reported today. Barcelona's newly installed president Joan Laporta claims he struck a 30 million pound (50 million dollar) agreement with United but newspapers in Britain said the English champions were set to accept a 26 million pound (43 million dollar) bid from Real because they recognise Beckham is determined to go to Madrid. Pictures in British newspapers showed United chief executive Peter Kenyon meeting Pedro Lopez, an envoy from Madrid, in Sardinia last friday to discuss the matter. Sandro Rosell, Laporta's sporting director at Barcelona, said, "It's like when you propose to a woman - you can't make her marry you when she says no.
"You can't force someone to do something if they don't want to". Reports said the 28-year-old Beckham, who left today for a promotional tour of Asia, would sign a five-year deal worth 90,000 pounds (151,000 dollar) a week.

United would not consider Real's Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo in part-exchange but were keen on getting the Madrid club's France international defensive midfielder Claude Makelele.

United are desperate to offload Beckham this summer to allow manager Alex Ferguson to use the cash to strengthen his squad. The depressed transfer market, coupled with United's determination to sell Beckham, will allow Real to sign the most marketable name in world football at a bargain price.

Bureau Report