The full-back Roberto Carlos last night broke ranks with an otherwise silent Real Madrid to confirm Barcelona's worst fears: Madrid are on the verge of countering the Catalans' offer to sign David Beckham.

As Barca's presidential candidate Joan Laporta continued his strident pleas for the England captain to consider them, Real's Brazilian international said: "I'm absolutely sure that Beckham prefers Madrid because our team is in much better shape than anyone else.

"We'll have to wait for the next few days to see what happens but what is absolutely sure is that our president Florentino Perez has worked really hard and well so that Beckham can come to Real Madrid.

"Without any doubt, David is one of the great players of the world. And our president always searches out the best footballers for this club. I'm sure that if Beckham has to choose he will definitely opt for Real Madrid ahead of Barcelona. They are not a really poor team but everyone knows that we are the most complete team there is."

Roberto Carlos has merely confirmed what has been an open secret, namely that despite their denials Madrid will make their move early next week, when the result of Barcelona's presidential election has been decided.

Earlier Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano had refused to be drawn on the club's immediate intentions, but did indicate where Beckham might fit in Madrid's tactical plans.

"David Beckham is a footballer in exile," he said. "He should not be playing on the right but in the centre. When played correctly, football is like art - a wonderful painting or a beautiful piece of music. Beckham is a football artist. He is the greatest striker of the ball anywhere."

In Barcelona Laporta, whose £30 million bid for the England captain has been accepted by Manchester United on condition that he wins the election on Sunday, remained confident the England captain could be convinced, although his pleas sounded increasingly desperate.

"I would talk about our project, our dream, our city, our club, our country to show him the high quality of life and how we intend to put Barcelona back at the top of world football," he said.

On Tuesday Beckham's representatives, SFX, made it clear he felt he was being used as a "political pawn" in the elections and revealed there were no plans to meet Laporta or his representatives. This, however, was interpreted as little more than a fit of pique that United had announced their deal with Laporta before SFX had been consulted.

Laporta, though, feels that once he enters into negotiations with Beckham and SFX the saga will quickly be brought to a conclusion.

"We are trying to start negotiations with his agents and I hope, and we are confident, we can do that and we can convince them the best for David Beckham is to play for Barcelona," he said. It seems increasingly clear that Laporta's best will not be enough.

Meanwhile, Real's captain Fernando Hierro was totally indifferent when asked about the possible arrival of Beckham.

Hierro, speaking at a press conference yesterday, preferred instead to concentrate on the Primera Liga title race which Madrid are contesting with Real Sociedad.

"I can't see any reason why Beckham is important here at the moment," he said. "He is not going to play for us before the end of this season.

"The most important people now are the 25 players who currently occupy the club dressing room. They are the ones who are going to play.

"The press will have to create all the interest about a signing because at the moment the players here are the ones who are playing for the title."

Next up for Hierro and Real is the Madrid derby against Atletico this weekend. "Real Madrid won't win or lose the league on Sunday, after 38 games one game does not take away the effort of 10 months.

"Any year we don't win anything is a disappointment, because Real Madrid are a team built to win."

Real are a point behind Sociedad with just two games remaining.

Guardian Service