Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has asked to leave Manchester United.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said the 30-year-old wanted an Old Trafford exit after arriving in Durban for the start of the club’s pre-season.
“There may be some interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich,” Ferguson said on Friday.
“I am waiting for Manchester United chief executive David Gill to fill me in but Ruud van Nistelrooy has asked to leave the club.”
Van Nistelrooy found first-team chances hard to come by in the second half of last season and rumours of a rift with Ferguson grew when the Dutch striker left the ground before United’s last game.
The stumbling block to his move could be the fee.
Real are thought to be ready to offer �10m, but United are reported to want �15m.
However, the news that Brazilian striker Ronaldo will miss the start of the season as he recovers from knee surgery could force the Spanish club’s hand.
Meanwhile, Bayern are ready to speak to United, with club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge saying: “The player wants to come to us we know that.
“Now we will approach the thing with all calm.
“We have to speak with the player and naturally with Manchester United but there are no grounds for haste.”
Van Nistelrooy was a �19m signing from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 and has scored 150 goals in 218 appearances.
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