Beckham to Barcelona!

[stkelly52]

Just heard this on CNN World Sport

Man U has agreed on a transfer price to send Beckham to Barcelona.

I don't know anything about Soccer, but the name that I do know is David Beckham. I am a bit surprised that Man U. would be willing to give him up.

[Cards4ever]

Wow, if that pans out, that will be a shocker.

[Calis]

I'm a bit surprised he'd want to go to Barcelona.

I'd been hearing that rumor surfacing more and more as of late, figured it was a matter of time.

Barcelona even have a spot in the CL next year? I don't follow La Liga very closely, but I thought they were doing rather poorly?

In the long run though, this might be a good move for ManU, sure Beckham is a great player, but I think they'll be able to pick up a couple of high caliber players with the amount of money they brought in.

Be interesting to see what happens, if this does go through(which seems likely).

[fantastic flying froggies]

Latest rumours had him going to Real Madrid. Imagine that dream team they would have with Zidane and Ronaldo !!!

Reason Beckham is leaving ManU is because he fell with the coach, the honourable Sir Alex Ferguson... Threw a shoe at him or something ?...

[Calis]

Fergie supposedly "accidently" hit him when he was throwing a "boot" in some sort of fit. Anyhow, I would imagine it goes a lot deeper than that incident.

Actually the Real rumors kinda died down and now the Barcelona ones have been all over the place. Strange deal, but the high ups from Barcelona did admit that they were at least making offers to Man U, so there's SOME truth to it at least.

FFF, how can you name the uber Madrid squad and leave out Raul! That's blasphemy! Not to mention Figo, but I can let that one slide. :)

So if this goes through I guess the rumors of them wanting to sell Giggs go away eh? I can't imagine them dropping Becks and Giggs in the same year, that'd be crazy.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Originally posted by Calis
FFF, how can you name the uber Madrid squad and leave out Raul! That's blasphemy! Not to mention Figo, but I can let that one slide. :)


You're right of course, but I didn't want to name the whole team !!! ;)

[cartman]

Nope, Barcelona doesn't have a spot in the CL next year. Remember, this offer is still pending approval from Becks.

I'd be surprised to see him go to Barcelona. I still figure him ending up at Real Madrid (that would be an incredible midfield! Becks, Zidane, Figo), or either of the Milan teams. AC has backed off a bit, but Inter is VERY interested still. And Posh has hinted she has a preference for Milan, if she had to move to the continent.

[stkelly52]

Here is the story from soccernet http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=269472&cc=4716

United accept Barca bid for Becks


Manchester United have confirmed they have accepted a bid from Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta for David Beckham - subject to a number of conditions.

Beckham: Adios? (ShaunBotterill/GettyImages)

The England captain has been subject of feverish speculation in recent weeks, linking him with a possible £30million transfer to a number of European clubs, including Barca as well as Real Madrid and Champions League winners AC Milan.


But United this afternoon released a statement on their website, confirming they had accepted an undisclosed bid from the Catalan giants, subject to the outcome of the club's presidential elections on June 15.

The statement reads: 'Manchester United confirms that club officials have met Joan Laporta, the leading candidate for the Presidency of Barcelona. These meetings have resulted in an offer being made for the transfer of David Beckham to Barcelona.

'This offer is subject to a number of conditions and critically to both Mr Laporta being elected President on Sunday 15 June and Barcelona subsequently reaching agreement with David Beckham on his personal contract.

'Manchester United confirms that in the event that all of the conditions are fulfilled then the offer would be acceptable.'

Beckham, who is currently on holiday in the US, had earlier offered his first reaction to the media frenzy which has dominated newspapers in the last few weeks.

'These rumours have been going on for two months now,' he told the Los Angeles Times. 'About a month ago, it was Real Madrid and now it's Barcelona.

'But I'm a Man United player. I'm contracted to Man United for another two or three years, I think [Beckham has two years remaining on his contract]. As long as they want me, then I'll stay.

'But I've never said that I'd never move away from Manchester, and I've never said that I'd end my career there.

'There will always be changes at a team like Man United. With all the big teams there's always going to be changes - because you look to strengthen the team whether you win three trophies or you win one.

'There's always going to be changes.'

Beckham's future at Old Trafford was put in doubt in February after an infamous row with Sir Alex Ferguson following United's 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal. He was hit in the face by a boot kicked across the Old Trafford dressing room by the United manager and emerged the following day sporting bandages across his eyebrow.

However, Ferguson's decision to leave Beckham on the bench for crucial matches towards the end of the season, including the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real, cast a greater shadow over his future with the Premiership champions.

[Cards4ever]

Hmm, sounds like the Figo deal, I think he's on his way to Barca.

[GrantDawg]

Beckham is saying he will not go to Barca. Linky (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=269478&cc=5901)

Does this mean he definitely will not go? Probably not. May just be a negotiation tactic.

[Katon]

I can't understand why Real Madrid would want Beckham. They already have Figo in the same slot, and it's not at all clear to me that Beckham's an improvement. Even if he is, is he enough of an improvement to merit the financial expenditure? Barca, on the other hand, could use the help.

[Calis]

For the money? No way in hell it's worth it for Real to bring him in play-wise. I think the only reason they could have is for the cash cow he'd be for merchandise and such. Not that he wouldn't be a quality player either, but I can't imagine a way in hell you'd bench Figo.

From what I've seen, Barca could definitely use him, and NEED him, so it seems plausible. I just don't think he'd want to play there, unless they're planning on bringing in more talent, which I doubt with the cash they'd be forced to spend to get him. He'd be leaving one of the best clubs in Europe for a club that appears to be on the downward path.

I'm not a Man U fan by any means, but I'd honestly like to see him stay there.

I just hope he doesn't go to Italy, I NEVER get to see any Italian games. :(

[Cards4ever]

Originally posted by Katon
I can't understand why Real Madrid would want Beckham. They already have Figo in the same slot, and it's not at all clear to me that Beckham's an improvement. Even if he is, is he enough of an improvement to merit the financial expenditure? Barca, on the other hand, could use the help.

Katon, do you ever read Four Four Two? A couple of months ago they had a Real spread, and it's all about marketing for them. If the guy can sell shirts, they want him.

[SirFozzie]

Becks to Barcelona won't happen. Becks would want the moon and sun, and the deal is contingent on the 2nd place candidate in the election for Barcelona president winning.

To one fo the Milans? Now that I can see.

[Cards4ever]

That's how the guy from Real Madrid won his election, he promised Figo if he got elected.

[Happy29]

What or who did Man U. get in return or is it like a unrestricted dree agent signing with another team?

[BreizhManu]

Originally posted by Happy29
What or who did Man U. get in return or is it like a unrestricted dree agent signing with another team?

40M€

[Cards4ever]

Most players are bought and sold in soccer happy, there is a free agency system, it's called a Bosman after the player that tested the system.

[cartman]

Originally posted by Happy29
What or who did Man U. get in return or is it like a unrestricted dree agent signing with another team?

Europe operates much differently than the US sports. If a team wants another player, they don't trade existing players for that person. There are no draft picks, either.

What they do is negotiate a fee as "compensation" for that player leaving. It'd be like the Cowboys deciding that they wanted Ricky Williams on their team, and paying the Dolphins $50 million for the rights to his contract.

So Man U might be doing something good here, because if Beckham decided at the end of his contract he didn't want to play for them anymore, Man U doesn't get anything. But since he has 3+ years left on his contract, if another team wants him still in his prime, they have to pony up the dough.

This is the reason that the owner of Inter Milan wasn't all that sad to see Ronaldo go last year. Sure he had an incredible World Cup, but he only had played in 10 league games over the previous 3 seasons. He was more than happy to take the $40 million and be rid of him!

[Neuqua]

With Man United's history of players whom reject moves elsewhere, I do not see Beckham not leaving. Even if he does not want to go, he may have to do it just for the sake of not having his football career put on hold.

[daedalus]

Barca is out of Champion's League next season but I don't think very many expect them out for more than one season. For Barcelona, it would make sense since they could use the publicity to combat their poor season and, hey, it'd be a guy they got over Real. For Beckham, I thought I read somewhere that his wife wanted out of England and he would get away from Ferguson. It seems to make sense for all.

[ISiddiqui]

Interesting. Beckham's management company said:

"David is very disappointed and surprised to learn of this statement and feels that he has been used as a political pawn in the Barcelona presidential elections,"

Seems like the whole "I'll promise Beckham" trick won't work for this guy.

[CAsterling]

The Barcelona deal for Beckham isn't unusual for them.

Every election of a new president is done by the fans, so the candidates promise to sign the world's best/well known players and then hope to be elected. Even if elected, it doesn't mean the deal will go through as I'm sure there will be plenty of clauses and options to back out if necessary.

The media frenzy about Beckham going to Madrid/Milan/elsewhere is also normal. The European transfer market for superstars is generally run on a strange premise.

It doesn't really matter if the player can help your team, it is more important to stop your rivals from signing him and hence all the bad publicity you receive (It a football version of oneupmanship).

For this reason a lot of Italian/Spanish clubs for decades had players their coaches didn't want, to stop their rivals from getting them. Looks to me like the same is happening in the Media with Beckham.

Personally, I think he should sign for an American club, big money, huge endorsements and he gets to live the celebrity lifestyle he seems to crave without his lack of talent being constantly exposed by world class players.

Oh and Man Utd will be more of a TEAM without the over-rated muppet.:D :D :D :D

[Calis]

Did you just use big money and American club in the same sentence?

[SirFozzie]

Calis: Don't you think the folks who run American soccer would SALIVATE about having a Beckham type in the league?

$50 million (which is close to what the offer supposedly is for Beckham), and MLS would MORE then recoup it in attendance and merchandise. Of course he'd get assigned to New York or LA. :grr:

[Cards4ever]

Originally posted by SirFozzie
Calis: Don't you think the folks who run American soccer would SALIVATE about having a Beckham type in the league?

$50 million (which is close to what the offer supposedly is for Beckham), and MLS would MORE then recoup it in attendance and merchandise. Of course he'd get assigned to New York or LA. :grr:

Sure they would, but the level of play wouldn't help his international play and of course the travel when he would have to go back for international games would not be fun.

The NASL tried to do the same thing with Pele and Beckenbauer, and it just didn't work. You would have the interest at first, but then it would level off and in the end hurt the league. It's best for MLS to just continue as they have and slowly but surely build.

[GrantDawg]

The MLS does not have $50 mil they could put out on one guy. Never happen.

[SirFozzie]

Grantdawg: Get a Cuban type, where $50 million is fairly small type drop in the bucket ;)

[Calis]

Honestly SirFozzie though, I hate to say it, being a big soccer fan, but I don't think Becks WOULD bring in the kind of money you're thinking. I imagine they could put the cash up somehow, but I think it would be a huge mistake for them, and put them in worse financial straits than they are in now.

I just don't see him being big enough to really pull people in. You never know though, the guy obviously loves being in the spotlight, and what better place to do it than here? I just think he'd have to take a huge paycut, and basically get little to no recognition. I think it would kill his career.

[Katon]

Originally posted by Cards4ever
Katon, do you ever read Four Four Two? A couple of months ago they had a Real spread, and it's all about marketing for them. If the guy can sell shirts, they want him.

True enough, and Beckham is among the world's most marketable players. On the other hand, Real have major defensive problems which they should be addressing long before making a financially-motivated change at right winger.

[SirFozzie]

Calis: He has been making the rounds at the galas here in the US lately, and has repeatedly stated his desire to play for the MLS at some point in his career. And besides, he fits into the party scene already, as this story shows (MSN's outtakes on the MTV Movie Awards and the post show parties)

Apparently at P. Diddy's after-show party, Beyonce Knowles, Josh Hartnett and even Michael Jackson requested an introduction to meet the couple du jour, Posh Spice (now Victoria Beckham) and soccer great David Beckham. The two decided to go over the top in matching white-and-diamonds D&G get-ups, which proved to be not such a hot idea after all. While whooping it up at the post party, David was forced to remove his glittery pants after spilling red wine all over them. Thankfully his quick-thinking gal grabbed a tablecloth and whipped up a stylish sarong for him to wear. Pretty clever. Hey Posh, I hear Martha Stewart's job is available these days.

[Calis]

You think he'd come over now though? I would figure he'd pull something like Matthaus and come over after his next contract is finished, basically as his career was on the wane...not at the height it is now.

You never know though, I'd love to see him over here, just to see what he could do for the sport here, so I'll be pulling for it. :) I know a lot of folks here think he's ultra-overrated and so on, but man, I love to watch the guy play.

[CAsterling]

Originally posted by Calis
You think he'd come over now though? I would figure he'd pull something like Matthaus and come over after his next contract is finished, basically as his career was on the wane...not at the height it is now.

You never know though, I'd love to see him over here, just to see what he could do for the sport here, so I'll be pulling for it. :) I know a lot of folks here think he's ultra-overrated and so on, but man, I love to watch the guy play.

Yep, I'm one of those folks who think he is over-rated, but I agree when he bothers to play at the level he is capable of he is very good. In fact for approximately 2 minutes out of every 90minutes he is on the field he actually impresses, its just a pity for the other 88 minutes he seems to disappear from the game.

[MIJB#19]

FWIW, I read another article on the Beckham move.

In fact, the Barcelona deal is "as if" meaning one of seven president candidates wins.
Other candidates claim to buy Van Nistelrooij or Makaaij to hook up with Kluivert, both are probably more popular additions then "Becks".
Beckham still is "just" a winger, while Makaaij and Van Nistelrooij are the most productive strikers in Europe.

Besides, if you watched the post-game enviroment between "Becks" and "Zizou"(Zidane) after the Man Utd loss to Real Madrid, you'd wonder why Beckham would not move to Real Madrid.

Also, both Beckham and Figo can play in the center midfield as well, they're capable of playing there side-by-side with Zidane and having the other guy to the right.

[Marc Vaughan]

While Man Utd are ready to let Beckham go if the price is right, I'm still personally guessing that Beckham himself isn't up for going anywhere ... he supported Man Utd as a boy, loves playing for the club and realises that the club can't force him out .... he'll sit on the bench for a couple of games if needs be but he'll stay put and the clubs supporters will help force his selection into the team again pretty quickly imho.

[Calis]

You think so Marc? I'm not so sure, I mean Man Utd is making it pretty clear that they want to get rid of him. I wouldn't want to stay in that situation, I have a feeling he'll go if the right team is in the bidding, not sure he'd go to Barca though.

I just hear a lot of reports lately where he's kind of backing off of his love for Man Utd, saying he never said he'd play there his career, and how if they want him to leave, he'll leave.

Not sure, this will be interesting to see. The election for Barca prez is Sunday isn't?

[Katon]

Originally posted by MIJB#19
Also, both Beckham and Figo can play in the center midfield as well, they're capable of playing there side-by-side with Zidane and having the other guy to the right.

True, but that would actually be a pretty poor midfield. In order to be a balanced side, you need a ball-winner in midfield, especially with a defence like Real's.

[Cards4ever]

I think that alot of this posturing on all sides. If Barcelona pays the right price, to both Man U and Beckham, I think he will go. Barca has seen the Real Madrid model and I'm sure they are under pressure in Spain, especially with no Champions League spot next year.

[Fritz]

LOST: One sense of humor. Answers to snowflake. Big splotch on belly that looks like the Mona Lisa with bigger ears. Do not feed rice pudding. Reward if returned 'unsoiled.'

[CK#12]

CAsterling,

Have you watched Beckham play for England recently?

I agree with you that for Man Utd. he is not a hugely influential player but for England he is what drives them.

When he wasn't fit in the World cup it really showed and the team didn't perform that well but if Beckham had not been playing for England then we wouldn't even have been in the World cup.

England have some excellent players but without Beckham they seem to play without any focus.
Did you watch the match last night?
Thankfully, Steven Gerrard took up the Beckam role or England would have lost that match.

I am not saying Beckham is the World's best player (probably still Zidane) but he is probably in the top 10 if not 5.

[Calis]

Going along with these rumors, any folks hearing all these talks of Ronaldinho going to Man Utd? Not sure if there's any truth at all to that one, but it seems like it would be a strange deal. I figured if they were dealing Becks they'd do it to fill up a couple of slots, but if they buy Ronaldinho that's a HUGE chunk of cash right there. I don't really know if it would make sense to trade one for the other, unless there's more behind the scenes than we know. Not sure, what do people the think the probability of their being truth to this is? And any idea on an estimate how much Ronaldinho would go for? It sounds like a lot of clubs are shooting for him, so I think it'll get inflated pretty high.

[illinifan999]

In CM4 Man Utd payed 19mil for him and got him. ;)

[BreizhManu]

Ronaldinho would move from PSG with an offer around 25-30M€. They may ask for more but since he wants too leave, they'll have to agree that offer.

[SirFozzie]

Rolandinho would likely go for about 20 million (Pounds, not dollars), and unlike Beckham, has stated he wants to go to Man Utd, that it's a dream for him

[MIJB#19]

Originally posted by Katon
True, but that would actually be a pretty poor midfield. In order to be a balanced side, you need a ball-winner in midfield, especially with a defence like Real's. I know, but the Real Madrid philosophy supports a different idea.
Real Madrid invests in offensive stars to score more goals then the opponent does. (like I tried to explain in another recent soccer thread, Real Madrid is old fashioned...)
4 defensive minded players is not much, but somehow Real Madrid tries to play this way. They've been playing with Savio or McMananan recently, Beckham would be an upgrade over them.

[cartman]

I know that he can't stop everything by himself, but Roberto Carlos is no slouch as a fullback. If Real could pickup a solid SW or CB to go with him, then they would have a very scary team, to upgrade their defense with an incredible offense.

What Beckham would bring to Real would be his free kicks. Currently, Roberto Carlos takes many of the scoring chance free kicks, which leaves him often out of position if he doesn't score. If Beckham were to start kicking these, then that would help their defense, by keeping their best fullback where he belongs.

[MIJB#19]

Originally posted by cartman
I know that he can't stop everything by himself, but Roberto Carlos is no slouch as a fullback. If Real could pickup a solid SW or CB to go with him, then they would have a very scary team, to upgrade their defense with an incredible offense.

What Beckham would bring to Real would be his free kicks. Currently, Roberto Carlos takes many of the scoring chance free kicks, which leaves him often out of position if he doesn't score. If Beckham were to start kicking these, then that would help their defense, by keeping their best fullback where he belongs. But that's all Robert Carlos does:
Running upfield shooting from long range, make crosses or take corner/free kicks.

Personally, I'd list Roberto Carlos as a winger, looking at his playing style...

[MIJB#19]

Dola, I completly forgot about Roberto Carlos' ability to sell lolly pops during commercial breaks...
:)

[3ric]

Beckham would also be glad to play on the same team as Roberto Carlos - it's always hilarious to see Becks trying to defend deep, it gives him fits! It's no coincidence he hasn't had any good games vs Real.

[Neuqua]

I was actually hearing the transfer fee for Ronaldinho to Man Utd. was closer to 9-10 million pounds.

Although that seems awfully low for a player of his caliber so I may have just misread a report.

[ice4277]

Originally posted by Neuqua
I was actually hearing the transfer fee for Ronaldinho to Man Utd. was closer to 9-10 million pounds.

Although that seems awfully low for a player of his caliber so I may have just misread a report.

With the depressed economy throughout European football, it wouldn't be surprising to see him go for this price. Only the top few players (Beckham, Zidane, Ronaldo) could realistically command a higher fee than this right now, IMO.

[Sharpieman]

I disappointed in Real Madrid, They have some of the best players in the world and still weren't able to get to the finals. I think if Beckham were to go to Madrid then they would almost be unstoppable.

[daedalus]

Adding Beckham wouldn't make Real anymore unstoppable than would adding Reggie Miller to the Mavericks. Their problem is (Spongebob-like) porous defense. A defender or two to let that that midfielder go back to midfield would help more. But, then, football-decision isn't what drives Valdano's (is that his name?) player acquisition scheme.

[Sharpieman]

Maybe your right I'm not that soccer savy. But I still think Beckham would help some.

[daedalus]

I wouldn't say I'm soccer savvy, either. And I agree with you that it would help - adding quality players always help. On the other hand, adding to their strength (offense) without addressing their glaring need (defense) wouldn't make them anymore "unstoppable" than they were before.

[Mac Howard]

Here's a novel look at the Beckham saga from the .....erm ........"feminist's" angle :D

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9753,975494,00.html

[MIJB#19]

BTW, the topic title can still work out, Beckham (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/301981) to Barcelona (http://www.dragons.es/) is not so unlikely at all.

[Mac Howard]

I couldn't understand why Man Utd would admit a deal with Laporta while he's still merely a candidate for president of Barca . But then I read this:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-712231,00.html

Of course this could be just as much garbage as the rest of the stuff written on this subject :D