Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed today that his Dutch sriker Ruud van Nistelrooy has asked to leave Manchester United after landing in Durban for the start of pre-season programme.
The news is set to spark bids from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, both of whom have been heavily linked with the 30-year-old since he fell out with Ferguson at the end of last season.
However, United officials have made it clear they will not let Van Nistelrooy leave on the cheap and it will take a bid well in excess of the £10million. Real are rumoured to be prepared to pay for the forward, one of only eight players in the club's history to score 150 times.
"There may be some interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich," confirmed Ferguson. "I am waiting for (chief executive) David Gill to fill me in but Ruud has asked to leave."
Although there have been some suggestions Ferguson was ready to make peace with Van Nistelrooy, the former PSV Eindhoven player's departure appeared inevitable following the furious bust-up with his manager prior to the final Premiership game of last season against Charlton.
Van Nistelrooy is said to have reacted badly when told he was being overlooked for the Premiership encounter in favour of rising star Giuseppe Rossi.
The striker was immediately banished from the team hotel and then barred by Ferguson from playing in Roy Keane's testimonial three days later.
Prior to the World Cup, Van Nistelrooy insisted he did not know what had sparked Ferguson's anger, although the Scot did issue a veiled hint the Holland international's attitude was having a negative effect on the rest of his squad.
After a disappointing tournament, which Van Nistelrooy ended on the bench after being axed by Marco van Basten, he begged for a chance to speak with Ferguson to thrash out his future.
Instead, talks between Van Nistelrooy's agent Roger Linse and Gill have resulted in his exit being confirmed, with the destination still to be determined.
However, it has been reported the player - who is apparently holding a 'last supper' for his friends in Manchester tonight - has agreed a three-year contract with Real Madrid.
Such a scenario raises the intriguing prospect of Van Nistelrooy remaining a team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo, whom he had a major training ground bust-up with at the back end of the season.
Ronaldo is yet to officially state beyond all doubt he will remain at Old Trafford next season after claiming he was bound for Spain both before and after Portugal's World Cup quarter-final defeat of England in Gelsenkirchen.
United released a statement earlier this week insisting there was 'no possibility' Ronaldo would be sold and any bids would be rejected.
Ferguson has yet to speak publicly on the Ronaldo issue, with club officials insisting such a stance will remain.
However, speculation continues to surround the player, with Valencia the latest to express an interest in him.
"His arrival would bring great happiness to everyone," said Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores. "He is a very young player that is capable of doing important things. There should be more players with his quality in the market."
