Russian vodka tycoon Rustam Tariko may buy the famous Villa Oleandra in Laglio on Lake Como, the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera" reported on Wednesday.
Another potential buyer for the property, which the actor George Clooney has been able to call home since 2002, is the footballer David Beckham, who is currently playing for AC Milan.
Beckham and his wife, Victoria, said they had "fallen in love" with the villa last year while staying with Clooney and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis, a former Italian showgirl and television hostess.
The football star offered 20 million euros for the villa complex, which includes a botanical garden, tennis courts and an annex, but was outdone by Tariko, who recently raised his bid to 30 million euros, vowing "The villa will be mine."
However, Roberto Pozzi, the Mayor of Laglio, said he hoped Beckham's bid would be successful, because the villa would thereby "still retain a certain glamour."
Clooney is reported to be selling his villa on Lake Como on account of continual harassment by paparazzi, which his girlfriend said had "made our life Hell."
ROME, February 24 (RIA Novosti)
