Manchester United has agreed to sell striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid for 5 million euros (US$18.9 million), Spanish radio station Cadena SER said yesterday.
Van Nistelrooy will reportedly sign a three-year contract and be presented at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium today following a routine medical.
The transfer was concluded at midnight on Wednesday after negotiations throughout the day between Madrid sports director Predrag Mijatovic and United's chief executive David Gill, the station said.
The 30-year-old Dutchman was set to arrive in the Spanish capital late yesterday and stay at the same hotel as Madrid's other recent signings -- former Juventus players Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson.
Van Nistelrooy, who will reportedly be paid an annual salary of 5 million euro (US$7.3 million), would team up again with David Beckham, with whom he played at United from 2001-2003.
On Wednesday, United manager Alex Ferguson said Madrid's offer remained well below United's asking price of ?15 million (US$27.9 million).
"Nothing has really materially changed," Ferguson told United's TV station. "They've slightly increased it but nothing really you would say -- for goodness sake, an increase of about two bob or something."
Ferguson said van Nistelrooy's sale should be at "the proper value" and compared the possible transfer with that of Andriy Shevchenko, who joined Chelsea at the end of May.
"He is one of the best strikers in the country, one of the best strikers in Europe so when you think about Shevchenko going for US$65 million -- he's a similar age group. But we know our value of the player so at the moment he is a Manchester United player."
Madrid has been vying with Bayern Munich to sign van Nistelrooy, who asked to leave United after falling out with Ferguson at the end of last season.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely