Fourteen years ago today, Mohamed Al Fayed said he would buy David Beckham if Jean Tigana wanted him. The billionaire had, allegedly already tried to persuade the Manchester United midfielder, who at the time had 18 months left on his contract, to sign for us.
Beckham was expected to become the first player to break the £100,000-a-week barrier when he signed a new deal - and Al Fayed insisted money would not be a problem."If Jean Tigana wants Beckham I'll get him for my manager," Al Fayed told reporters.
"David is a good friend of mine - both him and his wife Victoria. They have had a holiday at my home in St Tropez. Sometimes when they come here together shopping, we have lunch and I'm always talking with him about playing for us. I tell him he can come shopping and spend all his wages here at my store!
"I'd love to have him play for me if he wants to come. Of course I can afford him, no problem. Beckham is a maestro."
Al Fayed added: "I was coming to watch Fulham when George Best was here. I was proud that such a great player came to play for the club I loved. Best was then what Beckham is today.
"And if Best played for Fulham - why not Beckham? If we were good enough for Georgie, we are also good enough for Becks.”
Beckham was expected to become the first player to break the £100,000-a-week barrier when he signed a new deal - and Al Fayed insisted money would not be a problem."If Jean Tigana wants Beckham I'll get him for my manager," Al Fayed told reporters.
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"David is a good friend of mine - both him and his wife Victoria. They have had a holiday at my home in St Tropez. Sometimes when they come here together shopping, we have lunch and I'm always talking with him about playing for us. I tell him he can come shopping and spend all his wages here at my store!
"I'd love to have him play for me if he wants to come. Of course I can afford him, no problem. Beckham is a maestro."
Al Fayed added: "I was coming to watch Fulham when George Best was here. I was proud that such a great player came to play for the club I loved. Best was then what Beckham is today.
"And if Best played for Fulham - why not Beckham? If we were good enough for Georgie, we are also good enough for Becks.”
