The couple took their three-year-old daughter Harper and 12-year-old son Romeo along for a viewing of the mansion, which boasts 15 bathrooms, a theatre, two guest houses and a two-storey dining room.

Madonna purchased the house for $12.8 million (£8 million) in 2003 and lived there for 10 years before selling it on for $20.8 million (£13 million).

A source tells Britain's Sun on Sunday newspaper, "The place is so magnificent it doesn't need a hard sell. It was a very relaxed viewing. David kept winking at Victoria and the way they kept smiling was like they were already picturing their future there. They fell in love with it. It's just one of a few properties they have viewed but this is their favourite."

The Beckhams are expected to pay $28.8 million (£18 million) for the lavish property if they move forward with the purchase.