TARGET ... Ruud Van Nistelrooy
SunSport also understands the striker's Real Madrid and
Holland team-mate Rafael van der Vaart may also join the Reds on
loan until the end of the season.
It is a dramatic double swoop as under-fire boss Rafa
Benitez desperately seeks to turn around a disastrous season.
Former Manchester United idol Van Nistelrooy, 33, is
out of contract at the end of the season and is out of favour at
Real.
The striker wants to resurrect his international career
and go to the World Cup with Holland this summer.
He knows that his first-team chances in Madrid
will be limited as he is behind Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema and
Raul in boss Manuel Pellegrini's pecking order.
The only remaining detail to be sorted out is whether
Liverpool will pick up the hitman's whopping £140,000-a-week pay
package.
Benitez wants Madrid to pay part of his salary but the
Spanish giants insist on getting him off their wage bill.
Moving to Anfield gives Van Nistelrooy the chance to
get regular first-team action and push his claim for a call-up.
The Dutchman knows he will have to take a pay cut to
get a long-term deal at Anfield - but first he will have to
convince the Merseyside club he can still produce.
The former Old Trafford hero spent last season
sidelined with a knee injury and, although he has returned to full
fitness, he is short of match practice.
The Reds will hope veteran Van Nistelrooy can be the
credible partner Spanish hitman Fernando Torres has badly needed
all season.
Winger Van der Vaart, 26, was told he is surplus to
Real's requirements in the summer but he has fought back to earn
some playing time and has impressed.
