Newcastle deny David Beckham interest (Roundup)

Jul 7, 2006, 11:49 GMT

Former England captain David Beckham during the English team\'s training session in the stadium in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Friday 30 June 2006. EPA/SRDJAN SUKI

London - Newcastle United on Friday attempted to defuse a news report saying they are out to bring former England captain David Beckham back into the Premier League home after three years at Real Madrid.

'Newcastle United never comments on transfer speculation. The club has always enjoyed a close relationship with Real Madrid and would never do anything to spoil that relationship,' a statement said on the club website.

The statement came after the Daily Mail reported that 'David Beckham has held talks with Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd about a sensational return to English football,' reportedly at a London hotel on Thursday.

The report said that Newcastle were in need of a new star after the retirement of Alan Shearer and the latest injury to England forward Michael Owen, a ruptured cruciate knee ligament which will keep him out of action for the rest of the year.

Owen also came to Newcastle from Real Madrid 12 months ago.

'Newcastle want Beckham to take over the No 7 shirt once worn by another former England captain, Kevin Keegan, and are willing to put together a 120,000-pounds-a-week package (220,000 dollars, 172,000 euros) to lure him back from Real Madrid,' said the report.

An image rights deal, enabling Beckham to rake in a percentage of shirt sales and club shop memorabilia, would be part of the package, said the paper.

Beckham left Manchester United for Madrid in 2003 for 35 million euros (45 million dollars).

Madrid are out to revamp the team but the new leadership of president Ramon Calderon and coach Fabio Capello has told the 31-year-old midfielder he he should stay at the club and even renew his contract beyond 2007.

The BBC quoted Beckham's representative Simon Oliveira that Beckham and his wife were in the same hotel as Shepard by coincidence and didn't talk.

'David and Victoria didn't meet with Freddy Shepherd and they haven't discussed a move to Newcastle,' the BBC quoted Oliveira as saying.

Beckham retired as England captain after the World Cup quarter-final elimination against Portugal last weekend.