Real Madrid are reported to have turned down a
"blank cheque" from Manchester City for former United striker Ruud
van Nistelrooy.
The Blues eventually shelled out £32.5million for Real's
Brazil striker Robinho following Monday's shock takeover by the Abu
Dhabi United Group.
But before sealing that deal, Spanish daily Marca claims Real
chose to reject an even more staggering offer for another Bernabeu
superstar - Dutch striker van Nistelrooy.
The paper claims when City were told van Nistelrooy was not for
sale, they came back with a huge bid that was rejected.
Then, in a final attempt to land the ex-Old Trafford star, they
reportedly offered Madrid a blank cheque and told them to name
their price for van Nistelrooy. But once again, Madrid refused.
It is the latest bizarre rumour to come out of Monday's
deadline-day frenzy, which was kicked off by that City
takeover.
As well as landing Robinho, the Blues also tabled a
British-record transfer bid for Dimitar Berbatov and were also
linked with the likes of David Villa and Mario Gomez.
