Real Madrid bid for Nistelrooy rejected

London, July 19: Real Madrid`s prospective capture of Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy has stalled after United boss Alex Ferguson rejected their offer, press association reported today.

It seems only a matter of time before a deal goes through, although real will clearly have to get much nearer United`s 15 million-pound valuation for the player than the 10 million pounds it is believed they have bid.

Intense rumours out of Spain yesterday night suggested Van Nistelrooy was due in the capital for a medical on Wednesday before completing a big-money move to the Bernabeu.

It appears the real website even published a profile of the 30-year-old earlier in the day, only to swiftly take it off, claiming it was a technical problem.

However Ferguson said, "There is no agreement with Real Madrid and Manchester United over Ruud. We have refused their offer. He remains a Manchester United player."

Ferguson added, while in South Africa for a friendly against Kaizer chiefs on Tuesday night, "The situation is this: the player has said he wants to leave. The Chief Executive of the club, David Gill, is looking into the matter.”

"Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have both shown interest in him."

The 30-year-old Van Nistelrooy lost his place in the first team at the end of last season and did not appear for Holland in their world cup second round loss to Portugal.

Bureau Report