United to negotiate Nistelrooy's Real move

United to negotiate Nistelrooy's Real move

Associated Press, Madrid

Manchester United is prepared to negotiate the transfer of its
star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid, a Spanish
newspaper reported Thursday.

The leading sports daily Marca said United had withdrawn its
"not-for-sale sign" at the March meeting of Europe's most
powerful clubs, the G-14, and would sell van Nistelrooy to Madrid
in the summer if the bid was big enough.

The paper said the Dutch striker is keen to join the Spanish
powerhouse, adding his recently signed contract included a clause
which would allow him to leave if Madrid wanted to sign him.

Marca said United had offered the striker to FC Barcelona, but
the Catalan club lost interest after it learned that van
Nistelrooy was close to joining Madrid.

The report contradicts recent statements by van Nistelrooy,
who has been a roaring success since joining United from PSV
Eindhoven. He has scored 106 times in less than three seasons.

The Holland striker said in United's match program that he
wanted to stay, saying he was "not going anywhere", while the
Premier League club has also said the 27-year-old is not for
sale.

"Ruud is not for sale," a United spokesman said. "We have said
this consistently, so I don't know what more we can do.

Marca said van Nistelrooy was now unhappy at United, citing as
evidence an altercation he had with teammate David Bellion during
training last week and his absence from the league game against
Liverpool a few days later.

If confirmed, this will be the second successive season Madrid
has targeted a Manchester United star. Marca said United's asking
price would be much more the 35 million fee (US$41 million) it
agreed with Madrid for Beckham last season.

Madrid president Florentino Perez said last week he had made
no attempt to sign van Nistelrooy, although his choice of words
United will negotiate Van Nistelrooy's transfer to Madrid
hinted this wasn't out of the question in the future.