Van Nistelrooy fell out of favour at United last season

The 30-year-old has handed in a transfer request at Old Trafford, with Real, Bayern Munich and another unnamed club chasing his signature.

"We know Madrid want him and he wants to play there," Rodger Linse told Marca newspaper. "Madrid is a dream for any footballer, including Ruud."

Real are thought to have offered �8m but the asking price is at least �10m.

Van Nistelrooy can succeed at Madrid Real coach Fabio Capello

Van Nistelrooy asked to end his five-year career at Old Trafford after falling out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson last season.

"Ruud has asked to leave and we have to consider that. Obviously I think something may happen," said Ferguson.

"Real Madrid have shown interest and Bayern Munich have shown interest.

"I think another club have shown interest but David Gill is going to fill me in on that one."

Following a turbulent end to his club season with United, Van Nistelrooy headed to the World Cup with Holland, but ended the tournament as an unused substitute in his country's second-round defeat to Portugal.

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However, Real's new manager Fabio Capello is optimistic Van Nistelrooy will be a success in Spain.

"Van Nistelrooy has done well at all the clubs he has played for," he told Spanish television station Antena 3.

"He has scored a lot of goals and he is a striker who can succeed at Madrid."

Van Nistelrooy was a �19m signing from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 and has scored 150 goals in 218 appearances.