TIMES INLINE: The actor George Clooney is reported to be selling his villa on Lake Como because of harrassment by paparazzi, a move which highlights the growing row over the invasion of celebrities' private lives.
Potential buyers of the Villa Oleandra at Laglio on Lake Como, which Clooney bought in 2002 for a reported $10 million (£6.5 million), include the footballer David Beckham, who is currently playing for AC Milan, and the Russian vodka and banking tycoon Tariko Roustam.
Beckham and his wife Victoria are said to have "fallen in love" with the villa while staying with Clooney last Spring, with the football star later telling team mates it was "quiet and peaceful and not far from Milan". The villa complex includes a botanical garden, tennis courts and an annex.
Corriere della Sera said lawyers from Milan had approached the Swiss property company dealing with the sale on the Beckhams' behalf. However Mr Roustam had raised his offer to €30 million, vowing "The villa will be mine". >>> Richard Owen in Rome | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
