The Catalans are currently under the wing of caretaker boss Llorenç Serra Ferrer, who is recommending a move for the Manchester United man.
After the turmoil at the club which has seen Louis van Gaal and Josep Lluís Núñez both resign in the last fortnight, one of the president’s last tasks before he departs in July has to decide whether to keep hold of Figo.
Lazio have been sounding the world-class Portuguese player out over recent weeks, and the 27-year-old, through his agent José Veiga, has threatened to leave the Catalan club if they do not increase his annual 400 million pesetas (Ђ2.4m).
And this could involve a swap deal as the paper reports that United sent two spies to negotiate with Figo’s agent following Barcelona’s Champions League second leg against Valencia and may be prepared to offer Beckham to get their man.
The idea may not be so far-fetched as Beckham, who is seeking parity with United’s top-paid star Roy Keane, has given indications that he would relish the chance to escape the vitriol he receives whenever he plays away from Old Trafford.
His wife, Spice Girl Victoria Adams, would be attracted too by a move to Barcelona which she would view as a far cry from the “grimness” of her husband’s current workplace.