Golden bulls

So there is now a chance that David Beckham may pay homage to Catalonia and move to Barcelona.

Although he is furious that Manchester United are negotiating his future while he tours the world, the England captain has been offered to Barca should Joan Laporta be elected president of the Spanish footballing giant.

As well as coveting his abilities on the pitch, Barcelona are keen to cash in on the midfielder's marketing and merchandising potential, particularly in the Far East.

But before England's captain is forced to grab the bull by the horns and pack his bags, it emerges that the biggest threat to his superhero status may not be Ronaldo, Raul or indeed any another footballer.

Step forward Julian Lopez Escobar, bullfighter. Spain's leading sporting icon, he is feted as the world's greatest matador.

At the age of 20, "El Juli" is the darling of Spain. His baby-faced looks may be more Michael Owen but, when it comes to adoration and remuneration, he will give "Golden Balls" - Victoria's pet name for her husband - a run for his money. "This is the Mozart of bullfighting," said aficionado Juan Carlos Arevalo.

El Juli is paid £10,000 to £15,000 a bullfight but his price can soar to £50,000 for a major one. Just like Beckham he has swelled his bank balance through sponsorship and advertising deals. His face was used to promote Seat cars, adding fuel to the phenomenon dubbed "Juli-mania".

Like Becks, he has a Posh - although she is a real one: he is dating Rosario Domecq, heir to the Domecq wine and spirit empire. If the pair were to marry their combined income would dwarf the Beckhams' net worth - and make their castle wedding in Ireland look a modest affair.

The deal to take Beckham to Barcelona will only go through if Laporta triumphs in Sunday's club election. Should all go to plan, the Beckhams will find themselves in a city with much to offer - especially for Victoria's wardrobe. Exclusive stores abound along the fashionable Paseig de Gracia: from Gucci to Armani, Furla to Hermes, as well as home-grown labels such as Custo.

Of an evening they could take a stroll along the Ramblas, pop into a stylish restaurant and dine on arró³ ®egre( stuffed squid served with rice cooked in the creature's ink), then get down at trendy club Danceteria.

The couple will be able to pick from glamorous homes in suburb Pedralbes, which once boasted Maradona as a resident. But if they want to recreate Beckingham Palace on the coast of the Mediterranean, they will be laughed at.

Catalans will not care for what they see as vulgar opulence, says Marta Elcacho, a social commentator in Barcelona: "This is not the Catalan way. If you have money you do not show it off. You are discreet."

And Posh may have to suffer the ignominy of being a relative unknown again: throughout the pages of Hola! magazine Mrs Beckham is known just for being the wife of David. However the couple will find it hard to flee the media spotlight, as the private club culture which guarantees the couple some refuge in London does not exist in Barcelona.

Spaniard John Benages, 67, who lived in England for more than 30 years before returning home, said: "I think they would love Barcelona, it's a brilliant place. It has great nightlife, a lively harbour and mountains nearby. The people are friendly and if they love food they could eat out every day and never want fish and chips. I was born here and can tell you it's not like Manchester."

Their credentials:

JULIAN LOPEZ ESCOBAR, MATADOR

Nickname: El Juli

Age: 20

Profession: world's number one bullfighter, and winner of many a Spanish teenager's heart

Appearance: so clean-cut he makes Jehovah's Witnesses look rugged

Home: lives with his parents in a small village near Madrid

Fame: a household name in Spain. The Spanish call it "Juli-mania"

Fortune: killing bulls has made El Juli a a wealthy young man. Paid up to £50,000 for major bullfights. With his father predicting that he could fight 150 times this season alone, his bank balance is likely to continue to be healthy

Injuries: a high-risk job but, so far, he has escaped with gorings to his left leg and thigh - along with numerous minor scars

He says: "I'm not at all superstitious. But when you pray, it calms you a little."

ROBERT JOSEPH BECKHAM, FOOTBALLER

Nickname: Becks

Age: 28
Profession: A-list celebrity, pop-star husband, model, walking sponsorship logo ... oh, and he plays a bit of football too

Appearance: very toned, ever-changing blond locks. Appeals to lads, girls and gay men

Homes: a £2.6 million property in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire (dubbed Beckingham Palace), and an £850,000 barn conversion in Wilmslow, Cheshire

Fame: a global marketing phenomenon, though not in America, where he was greeted as "David Who?"

Fortune: at £50 million, Becks is worth twice as much as any other young British sports star. Earned £5 million from Manchester United last year. Deals with adidas, Pepsi, Brylcreem, Vodafone and M&S swelled the coffers further

Injuries: that fractured metatarsal bone in his left foot, and now that broken scaphoid bone in his hand

He says: not a lot.