A MYSTERIOUS diamond dealer is close to paying £1 million for David Beckham’s first home, according to the man trying to sell the Leytonstone property.

Colin Evans, who is acting on behalf of owner Iftakar Mahmood, said he had just returned from a meeting with the secret multi-millionaire in Paris. He describes the man as "dead keen" to go ahead with the purchase.

Mr Evans said: "He wants to remain anonymous because he's quite wealthy.”

"I think this man is more intelligent than any person I've met so far. He's an avid fan of Beckham and he doesn't need his name going round the world."

Mr Evans added that although the bidder made an initial offer of £750,000 for the modest three-bed house in Norman Road, it was possible the sale price could rise a further £250,000.

Negotiations were taking place between the owner, the bidder and their solicitors last week and Mr Evans believes a deal is closed to being clinched.

Mr Evans informed Mr Mahmood about the home's former occupant and originally listed it online for £850,000. He upped the asking price to £1million, after claiming to have received a massive offer from an Australian Beckham fan.

But the offer never materialised and the house failed to sell at auction earlier this month with a list price of £215,000.

The average house price in Norman Road is about £203,000.