Barcelona presidential hopeful Joan Laporta believes that David Beckham is the vital catalyst on Barcelona's road to recovery, comparing the England captain to Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona.
Manchester United yesterday confirmed that Beckham was the subject of talks held between the club and a number of other top European clubs from Spain and Italy, with newly crowned European champions AC Milan currently favourites to bag the star.
"David Beckham will be the new Johan Cruyff for Barcelona," Laporta told the News of the World.
"In our 103-year history we have had some of the greatest players ever, including Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff, and I believe that the David Beckham of 2003 can save Barcelona the way that Cruyff saved my beloved club in 1973."
Laporta claims that everyone at Barcelona is intent on bringing Beckham to the Nou Camp.
"Everybody in my team, including the coach I have signed, believes that David Beckham can become the leader of the new Barcelona.
"He is one of the world's great players, but even more importantly he is a leader, an inspirational figure. We will rebuild this club around him."