Real won't confirm new van Nistelrooy bid

Real Madrid today refused to confirm reports that they had made an improved bid for Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Real and German giants Bayern Munich are seen as the two most likely contenders to sign the 30-year-old Dutchman who fell out with United boss Alex Ferguson last season.

However, a spokeswoman for Real refused to confirm claims that a new bid had been lodged by the Primera Liga club – the Spanish media reports that Real have offered £10.25m (€15m).

“I don’t know anything about it,” said the spokeswoman to PA Sport.