Beckham was not the only party to compromise, according to Valdano, who also strengthened the widespread perception that Manchester United accepted a cut-price deal just to be sure of ridding themselves of their most saleable asset. “Having seen what Barcelona were prepared to pay, I can say that David Beckham was a touch cheap,” Valdano said. It was a mischievous comment that may make Peter Kenyon, the United chief executive, and the club’s shareholders wince.

Similarly barbed was Valdano’s answer when asked how difficult it had been to prise Beckham from Old Trafford. “Not difficult at all,” he said. “We did not take him out of Manchester. United opened the door for him to leave.”

Beckham’s imminent arrival caused a stir at the Real training ground yesterday, even though the player himself was thousands of miles away in Tokyo. Sir Alex Ferguson tired of repeated interrogations about his most celebrated player and Fernando Hierro, the Real club captain, did a passable impression of the Scot when he curtly declined to discuss his new team-mate.

“We don’t have much to say about the reinforcements brought in by the club,” Hierro said. “We understand he’s a great player and we wish him the best, but he’s not going to help us win the league.” He was referring to this weekend’s final match, at home to Athletic Bilbao, when Real need to win to be certain of claiming the Spanish championship.

Before such an important match, the sudden interest in Beckham was an unwelcome distraction to the Real players and the absence of Luis Figo and Guti from yesterday’s team meeting strengthened rumours that one might be jettisoned to make room.

With Real still owing money to Inter Milan from the purchase of Ronaldo, Italian papers speculated that Figo might move to Serie A, but Valdano dismissed the transfer as “not for discussion”. He did, though, admit that Guti had taken news of Beckham’s arrival badly. “We’ll talk to him so he feels the warmth of the club,” Valdano said.

Guti has more reason than Figo to be fearful because, in some matches, including the European Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford, he had dropped into the central role that has been earmarked for Beckham. Not even Beckham would claim that tackling was one of his strengths but Real appear to believe that one holding player — Claude Makelele, assuming they hold on to him — is enough protection and that the England captain is best utilised in the middle of midfield.

Valdano was prepared for the criticism yesterday that the club would have been better served spending their money on a replacement for the ageing Hierro or on a more destructive player, such as Patrick Vieira. “When Zidane arrived, people said we needed defenders,” he said. “When Ronaldo arrived, people said we needed defenders and now Beckham’s arrived, people are still saying the same thing. There are never too many crack players on a team. David Beckham’s signing will make us a better club and a better team. It will strengthen our image and he is a highly technical player who will give us an extra jump in quality.

“Beckham is very versatile and he won’t contaminate Real Madrid. It’s a perfect signing because it keeps both the marketing and sporting departments very happy.”

To the marketing department’s delight as they attempt to challenge United’s dominance in the Far East market, Beckham’s first match in a Real shirt is scheduled to be in Beijing on August 2 against the China Dragons. Real then move on to meet Tokyo FC on August 5.

Before they start printing a million replica shirts, they will need to know his number. Denied the No 77 shirt, which had been his preference once Raúl said he would not surrender No 7, Beckham agreed to “follow the norms and wear a free number between one and 25”, Valdano said. The No 11 could be vacant if Ronaldo takes the No 9 worn by Fernando Morientes, who is for sale.

More important than sacrificing his favourite number, Beckham has also given up commercial revenue in order to comply with Real’s policy towards all their galacticos. “That was the key to negotiations,” Valdano said. “We demand 50 per cent of a player’s image rights. We consider this issue indispensable because the other players have followed this policy.

“In the case of Beckham, it was more complicated because his potential image is very impressive, but he agreed. This agreement marks the player’s wish to come to Real Madrid, even if he is losing money.”

As he spoke, Beckham was being ushered between promotional appearances in Japan. The next time he is back there, he will be playing for Real.

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