Bayern still hoping to hijack Ruud’s Real deal

REAL MADRID still face competition from Bayern Munich to sign Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, according to the German club’s chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The Dutch international is expected to leave Old Trafford in the next few days, with United believed to be holding out for £15 million after Real reportedly failed with a £12m bid.

Van Nistelrooy is due back for pre-season training with United on Monday, but Madrid’s new coach Fabio Capello — who yesterday signed Juventus pair Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson — insisted: “We’re trying to get him signed.

“Every club wants to bring in important players, but it’s the players themselves who have the final word.”

However, Rummenigge still believes Bayern can agree a deal to take Van Nistelrooy to the Allianz Arena.

Bayern are only willing to match Real’s offer but Rummenigge is confident their good relationship with United could sway the deal in their favour, with one possibility being a player-plus-cash deal with England midfielder Owen Hargreaves travelling in the opposite direction.

“There is a great relationship between the two clubs, and I know Van Nistelrooy wants to come to Bayern,” said Rummenigge.

Speaking at Madrid‘s pre-season training camp in Austria, Capello could not hide his delight at securing the services of 32-year-old Cannavaro and Emerson, 30, from his former club Juventus for a reported £13.7million.

“They are players we were going after. They’re important to Real Madrid and they are great team players,” said Capello.

“They have experience and quality. They are competitive and their age doesn’t worry me at all.

Asked if Gianluca Zambrotta would be the next to agree to a switch to the Bernabeu, Capello said: “He’s a great player, but it looks like he has already reached an agreement with Barcelona.

“But, we have Roberto Carlos and might bring in someone else, so we’re not at all worried.”