Former England captain David Beckham, who had a forgettable 2006 as the international as well as Real Madrid midfielder, is watching his star status waning in Madrid with the ‘Galacticos’ supporters looking increasingly to French international winger Franck Ribery, a poll said.

The preference of three quarters of these supporters, the 23-year-old Ribery, who had an impressive World Cup finals in Germany in 2006, plays for Olympique Marseille where he has scored seven goals in 38 matches.

Spanish sports daily Marca has said Real were considering a swoop for the French international with Beckham, yet to win silverware with the club, looking increasingly likely to leave the Bernabeu by the summer after four seasons in La Liga.

Beckham's contract runs out on June 30 and he has not yet committed to offers of an extension through to 2009.

According to the Marca straw poll on its website , 71 percent of the fans have said they would prefer Ribery, take over the mantle of Beckham, eight years his senior and whom coach Fabio Capelllo has confined to the bench for much of the current campaign.

Recent reports quoting agents suggested that a stint in Serie A, possibly with Inter Milan, could be on the cards, but Beckham has more regularly been linked with US outfit Los Angeles Galaxy.

Real are again in the process of renovating their squad, having just brought in two young Argentines in the shape of Fernando Gago and Franco-Argentine Gonzago Higuain.

The meringues are also casting envious eyes at Arsenal's Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas and have still not admitted defeat in their ongoing quest for AC Milan's Brazilian jewel Kaka.

Meanwhile, Italian international striker Antonio Cassano, who missed training Saturday after he was caught in the chaos of the bombing at Barajas airport and widely expected to leave before season's end, gained favour Sunday after netting five times in a stellar, albeit training pitch, showing.

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