JUVENTUS JOIN BECKHAM HUNT

Although consistently expressing his desire to remain at Old Trafford, the Serie A giants are fully aware that United's inability to successfully tie their outstanding midfield talent to a new contract gives them some hope of luring him to Italy.

Juve are already planning their transfer raids for next year and, should Beckham fail to agree new terms with the Premiership champions over Christmas, a bid will be made to try and tempt him to trade Manchester for Turin.

Coach Marcello Lippi wants the 26-year-old in his midfield next season and, although Milan had appeared to be at the front of the queue, it is believed that Juve's relationship with United could give them the upper hand.

Of course, all of the efforts from the Serie A sides will be in vain if Beckham gets his wish to remain with the club he supported as a youngster, on the lucrative terms that his advisers feel his glittering talents, and phenomenal commercial value, deserve.

Weekend tabloid reports that the player is waiting to see who will replace Sir Alex Ferguson as manager were perhaps not exactly wide of the mark, as it is natural that the England idol wants assurances about the future, but both parties remain confident that a deal can be struck to tie him to the club on a long-term basis.

Beckham's current contract expires in 2003, and there is no prospect of United allowing him to leave for nothing under the Bosman Ruling.