Soccer fans around the world have been expecting news of a David Beckham transfer for some months now. But the England skipper himself seemed somewhat surprised when his club announced a deal on Tuesday.
Becks is currently in the United States on a promotional tour with his wife, and he was taken aback when Manchester United confirmed a £30-million deal to sell him to Spanish club Barcelona.
"David is very disappointed and surprised to learn of this," said a spokesperson for the footie ace. David is known to have had a long-running rift with United boss Alex Ferguson, but he has stated his desire to stay at Old Trafford.
His representatives have also expressed concerns that he's being used as a vote-winning ploy as the Spanish club prepares to elect a new president. "He feels he has been used as a political pawn in the Barcelona elections," said a spokesperson from management company SFX. Becks can refuse to go to Barca if he wishes and SFX has declared it won't negotiate with presidential candidate Joan Laporta.
The champion midfielder's father has also expressed his opposition to the deal. "I shall tell him not to go there," said Ted Beckham. "I don't want him to go, I want him to stay at Manchester United."
And in a strange twist to the story, the Pope may have a say in David's future. As one of Barca's 100,000 season ticket holders, His Holiness has a vote in Sunday's elections. The Pontiff was himself a notable footballer, who once played as a goalkeeper in Poland.
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