June 11, 2003	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 10, 1424

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LONDON, June 10: English champions Manchester United announced on Tuesday they were ready to accept a bid from Barcelona for England captain David Beckham.

The unspecified offer followed a meeting between United officials and Joan Laporta, one of the candidates to become Barcelona’s club president in Sunday’s elections.

The bid is subject to Laporta winning the presidential race and to midfielder Beckham, English soccer’s most famous player, agreeing terms with the Spanish club.

The 28-year-old is reported to earn $165,000 a week after signing a contract with United in May 2002 taking him up to June 2005.

Beckham’s transfer would almost certainly top the British record of 30 million pounds, paid to Leeds United by Manchester United for defender Rio Ferdinand in July 2002.

“Manchester United confirms that club officials have met Joan Laporta, the leading candidate for the presidency of Barcelona,” a United statement said.

“These meetings have resulted in an offer being made for the transfer of Beckham to Barcelona. This offer is subject to a number of conditions and critically to both Mr Laporta being elected president on June 15 and Barcelona subsequently reaching agreement with Beckham.—Reuters