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David Beckham will not join Spanish giants Barcelona if the man leading the presidential race at the Nou Camp is elected.

Lluis Bassat, the favourite to take the helm at the Spanish giants, has also claimed that AC Milan cannot afford to buy the England captain.

If true that would appear to leave Barca's bitter rivals Real Madrid as the only club who have the resources to lure Beckham from Manchester United.

Bassat has slammed claims by rival Joan Laporta that Beckham will join the Catalan club if he becomes president and says he will not make any such promises to the fans.

"AC Milan can't afford to pay for Beckham and they are in a better economic position than Barcelona," Bassat said.

"Mr Laporta should explain how he's going to do all of this.

"I am not going to do anything to win the elections or fool the voters by using names to get votes," he added.

HAVE YOUR SAY I am surprised that no one else is questioning the sheer amount people are willing to pay for Beckham! From Katy Doyle, UK Join the 606 debate

On Saturday Manchester United revealed that clubs had "expressed a firm interest" in signing the England captain.

A statement from the club said: "Manchester United can confirm that clubs from Italy and Spain have expressed a firm interest in signing David Beckham.

"David's advisers, SFX, have also been approached by clubs independently and we are in regular and close contact with them regarding the status of those discussions, which are ongoing.

"David has been kept informed while on holiday."

Laporta, who was struggling in the polls before he announced he would try to buy Beckham, has seen his share of the intended vote rise from 13.5% to 23.5% on the back of his claims.

In a news conference in Barcelona on Saturday, he added: "Our conversations with Manchester United are very advanced and progressing very well.

"We will also talk to David and his agent. That is how it is always done. We will not confirm any deals until it is done.

"He will be the leader of the team, the (Johan) Cruyff of 1973 for FC Barcelona."

United chief executive Peter Kenyon, while stressing that Beckham was still part of the club's plans, admitted that they would have to consider any offer in the region of �35m.