David Beckham was set to claim $7.9 million in damages from the prostitute who alleged he had a threesome with her and another escort, The Sun reported Friday.
The soccer superstar was believed to have ordered a global hunt for 26-year-old Irma Nici so she can be served with a writ.
Beckham acted after her claims were published in U.S. gossip magazine In Touch. His lawyers, who include top U.S. trial lawyer Bert Deixler, will also demand a front-cover apology from the magazine.
A friend of the 35-year-old said: "David is prepared to scour the Earth for this woman, who seems to think she could make up a complete fantasy that is extremely hurtful to him and his family. She has treated his wife and children with such disregard he is not prepared to let this one go."
Bosnian-born Nici, who was raised in Britain, claimed New York's Le Parker Meridien hotel was the venue for the threesome in 2007. But Beckham's friend said, "David can prove he wasn't there. She cannot prove he was."
His wife, fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, told relatives she was standing firmly by the star. A source said, "She knows these allegations are a complete falsehood and they will tackle this problem head on, together, as a family."
U.S. media law expert Sandy Baron said: "David Beckham would be entitled to punitive damages that potentially could run into the millions, particularly if he can prove the allegations were malicious or published with total disregard for the truth."
