The Barcelona president, Joan Gaspart, is meeting Manchester United today to make a £25 million ($NZ88 million) offer for David Beckham.
Gaspart has an appointment with the club's chief executive, Peter Kenyon, at Old Trafford, and Beckham's future is top of the menu.
Barça will offer around £:20 million ($NZ70 million)plus the former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit for the England captain.
The Spanish giants want Beckham to play alongside Rivaldo, rather than negotiating an exchange deal for their Brazilian midfielder.
Gaspart has been stung by the gap that has opened up between Real Madrid and the Catalan club, a wound made all the worse by the part played by Luis Figo since he left Barcelona in the summer.
He feels the addition of Beckham could put pressure on the club's big rivals from the capital city.
The bid will put United on the spot as Beckham has just over two years left on his contract.
He can leave for nothing in July 2003, so this may be a good time to cash in. Barcelona may also be an appealing move for Beckham, with the club's salaries far greater than that so far offered by United.
A fascinating battle of financial wills has now begun. United will undoubtedly ask about Rivaldo's availability, but they may face defeat in that quest.
Sources close to the player have revealed that he would prefer to move to Italy if he leaves Barcelona, and Milan have expressed an interest.
United also know that he has used the possibility of a move to Old Trafford in the past to earn a pay rise.
The United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, can only sit and wait on the outcome. He wants to strengthen his team for the final season of his managerial career, but may have to begin his rebuilding process without one of his biggest assets.
Beckham missed last night's Champions' League quarter-final against Bayern Munich through a suspension.