Bayern makes new offer

Is he coming or not? The talk is of van Nistelrooy, the Dutch international striker, currently under contract at English giants Manchester United. But if things go according to the wishes of the Bayern bosses, the 30-year old attacker will soon be scoring his goals for the German champions.

“He is one of the best strikers in Europe. He is a guarantee for goals and he is a personality”, cited chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as the reasons for the Reds’ interest in van Nistelrooy in an interview with the ‘Bild am Sontag’ newspaper. Coach Felix Magath would also be more than happy if Bayern signed ‘Van the Man’: “It would be great if a striker of his calibre came to our club”.

Real also interested in ‘Van the Man’

In the waiting game for the sought-after striker – Real Madrid has officially made moves to sign him – Rummenigge will not allow himself to be put under pressure. “We have time. The transfer window is still open for another five weeks. Van Nistelrooy has told us that he can imagine playing for Bayern Munich. We have already spoken about money. The rest is up to Manchester United. ManU is not interested in getting rid of him for a bargain price.”

Bayern’s manager Uli Hoeneß announced ahead of the friendly at LASK Linz that he had been in contact with the bosses of the premiership club on Sunday and that Bayern Munich had made a new offer for van Nistelrooy. „He wants to join us. Now the ball is in ManU’s court“, said Hoeneß.

In the meantime, ManU coach Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have accepted the fact that the Dutch international is leaving. “If he really wants to leave, there is no reason to convince him to stay”, the Scotsman said in an interview with the ‘News of the World’ newspaper.

Van Nistelrooy requested transfer

Ferguson added that van Nistelrooy first informed the club about his desire to leave via his agent but that he has recently put his transfer request in writing. Van Nistelrooy still has two years to run on his contract with Manchester United, which expires in 2008.