But the reported move was denied by the popular J-League club, Urawa Red Diamonds, as a fantasy arising from Japan's love for the 32-year-old genius dribbler who once owned a Japanese-style restaurant.

The major daily Sports Hochi reported that Urawa would make an offer to acquire Figo for a transfer fee of some two million euros (2.6 million dollars) set by Real Madrid, when the transfer market opens in June.

But Urawa spokesman Hitoshi Sato said: "There is no truth in it at all."

He explained that the story might have been stretched from a comment made by Urawa president Motoaki Inukai on Tuesday when asked about the possibility of Figo coming to Japan if his contract with Madrid was terminated this season.

The president told reporters after a J-League executive meeting here that Real might be choosing between England skipper David Beckham and Figo as their key man for next year. "Acquiring Figo will be a plus to the J-League as a whole."