Arsenal chairman rules out Beckham move - March 15, 2006
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has ruled out moving for Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham.
Widespread reports on Sunday claimed Arsenal would make a move for the 31-year-old, who has one year left on his contract at Real Madrid.
Arsene Wenger has praised Beckham's ability but Hill-Wood told the Daily Star: "It is absolute nonsense.
"Beckham's name has never come up at boardroom level and I would be very surprised if Arsene is interested."
Wenger was quoted as saying that he was a big fan of Beckham at the weekend but stopped short of saying he was interested in signing the former Manchester United player.
And Hill-Wood added: "I am sure he is looking around for players, but for which position I don't know at the moment. "I don't think going for big names is Arsene's method. He will buy a young player he thinks is going to fit into his system."
Sunday's reports suggested Wenger had earmarked Beckham as a player who could help the club fill their new stadium at Ashburton Grove as well as boost the club's income through shirt sales and sponsorship.
But Hill-Wood said: "He's not interested in buying a star. We're playing good enough football to fill the new stadium anyway."
Widespread reports on Sunday claimed Arsenal would make a move for the 31-year-old, who has one year left on his contract at Real Madrid.
Arsene Wenger has praised Beckham's ability but Hill-Wood told the Daily Star: "It is absolute nonsense.
"Beckham's name has never come up at boardroom level and I would be very surprised if Arsene is interested."
Wenger was quoted as saying that he was a big fan of Beckham at the weekend but stopped short of saying he was interested in signing the former Manchester United player.
And Hill-Wood added: "I am sure he is looking around for players, but for which position I don't know at the moment. "I don't think going for big names is Arsene's method. He will buy a young player he thinks is going to fit into his system."
Sunday's reports suggested Wenger had earmarked Beckham as a player who could help the club fill their new stadium at Ashburton Grove as well as boost the club's income through shirt sales and sponsorship.
But Hill-Wood said: "He's not interested in buying a star. We're playing good enough football to fill the new stadium anyway."
