Real Madrid last night issued the most emphatic of denials that they have any interest in signing David Beckham from Manchester United, in the process breaking their own policy of commenting publicly on transfer speculation.
The Spanish club last week knocked United out of the Champions League quarter-finals and Beckham's absence from Alex Ferguson's starting line-up that night served to fuel stories of an imminent departure to Madrid, something that the England captain has done nothing to dispel with his "never say never" remark and his pointed applause to all four sides of grounds after his last two appearances for the club.
But last night Real issued a public statement that left little room for doubt.
It said: "Surrounding the speculation regarding the supposed interest from Real Madrid in signing David Beckham, the club wishes to communicate that:
"1. No contact has existed between Real Madrid and Manchester United on this issue.
"2. Neither directly nor indirectly has there been any contact between Real Madrid and Mr Beckham.
"3. Despite the speculation surrounding this issue, Madrid have no intention of negotiating the transfer of Mr Beckham.
"4. Against the general policy of the club, which never uses official sources to reject rumours, this press release has been issued with the objective of putting an end to the growing speculation which has circulated without any foundation linking Mr Beckham with Real Madrid."
Earlier, Madrid's president, Florentino Perez, had been equally unequivocal. When asked about the speculation involving Beckham, after a meeting of the G14 group of elite European clubs in Brussels, he said: "Never . . . never . . . never."
"Nobody at Real Madrid has ever spoken about Beckham: and I do not want to say anything more about this matter myself," he added.
Perez is president of G14, a group of which Peter Kenyon, United's chief executive, is a vice-president. Yesterday they barely exchanged words beyond the usual pleasantries at the meeting which took place at the Amigo Hotel in the Belgian capital.
Afterwards Kenyon could not hide his satisfaction on hearing, even at third hand, of Perez's ringing rebuttal. "I am delighted that Senor Perez has confirmed this in such an emphatic manner," said Kenyon, "but, anyway, we at Manchester United never had any intention of selling him.
"I'm also assured by David's people that they don't want him to leave Manchester United. Everyone at Old Trafford will be grateful to have this confirmed in such a manner by Real Madrid."
Recent history, however, suggests that even such explicit denials from Madrid will not halt all speculation. Only last summer the club spent the best part of a month denying any interest in Ronaldo - and United know where that finished up.
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