David, Victoria Beckham eye murdered designer Versace's mansion?
David and Victoria Beckham are reported to be preparing a £40 million bid for the former mansion of murdered fashion designer Gianni Versace.
The Italian fashion designer was shot on the doorstep of his Miami home in 1997, and the retired soccer star is said to be ready to make a bid on the villa.
The main entrance hall is seen in a South Beach mansion formerly owned by fashion designer Gianni Versace in Miami Beach. (REUTERS)
According to reports in the Daily Mirror newspaper, the superstar couple are among the big names set for an auction next month where the home will be up for sale.
The property has been used as an exclusive hotel for many years, and its owners failed to sell it for £82 million last year.
The view of the South Beach skyline and pool area of the South Beach mansion formerly owned by fashion designer Gianni Versace in Miami Beach, Florida. (REUTERS)
The potential moves comes with speculation David is planning to start up his own US-based soccer team, a prospect which excites the nation's professional league.
A spokesman for Major League Soccer commented: "It would be great to have David involved with us."
The Aviary Suite in the South Beach mansion formerly owned by fashion designer Gianni Versace in Miami Beach, Florida. Versace spent $33 million renovating the house, which features a 54-foot mosaic pool lined with 24-karat gold, according to Fisher Auction Company. The mansion will be offered for sale at an auction on September 17, 2013. (REUTERS)
An insider recently added: "The Beckhams' people have enquired about the mansion, but it's all very hush-hush.
The Empire Suite at the South Beach mansion formerly owned by fashion designer Gianni Versace in Miami Beach, Florida. (REUTERS)
"It's an incredibly beautiful family home and oozes Gianni Versace's style ideas. Posh would be in heaven. She's positively drooling at the prospect of living there.
"It'll be very much a second home for them because they intend to be based in the UK from now on. But if all goes well with David's football venture they'll spend a lot of time in Miami and want a spectacular house right by the water."
The pool area at the South Beach mansion formerly owned by fashion designer Gianni Versace in Miami Beach. (REUTERS)