Bayern ready to manoeuvre

Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to training with Manchester United yesterday but Bayern Munich remain confident they will secure his services. The Bundesliga club admit their valuation of the Holland striker falls short of the £15-million asking price.

But honorary president Franz Beckenbauer believes there is room for manoeuvre. He is already exploring the possibility of offloading Roy Makaay or Claudio Pizarro should Van Nistelrooy come on board. Beckenbauer said: "We are five-million euros away from Manchester United's valuation but the chances are still high. But if it does work out, I could imagine us giving away Roy Makaay or Claudio Pizarro."

It was widely assumed the 30-year-old would have moved on by now after his massive bust-up with Alex Ferguson prior to the final game of the last campaign, against Charlton. He was then banned from playing in Roy Keane's testimonial.

Van Nistelrooy has indicated to Bayern and Real Madrid he would be willing to join them, However, mindful of the £29 million Chelsea paid AC Milan for Andriy Shevchenko, United do not see why they should be railroaded into a deal. Last week, Ferguson claimed he would have "no problem" if Van Nistelrooy were still around when United open their Premiership campaign against Fulham on August 20th, even though the former PSV Eindhoven man has handed in a written transfer request.

It was the same diplomatic card Van Nistelrooy played following Holland's elimination from the World Cup, when he said unless his situation changed, he would report for training as required. However, given the breakdown in relations between player and club, it would have been no surprise if Van Nistelrooy had backed out of yesterday morning's training session.

Meanwhile the Valencia president, Juan Soler, admits the club have asked Manchester United to name their price for Cristiano Ronaldo. Soler, who yesterday unveiled close-season signings Fernando Morientes and Asier Del Horno from Liverpool and Chelsea respectively, wants to stage a third raid on the Premiership.

"I have always said it will be difficult," said Soler. "But nothing is impossible. Until they tell us no several times we will not give up."

The Portugal international winger has been linked with Real Madrid and previously expressed a desire to play in Spain.

And Morientes, who missed out on a place in Spain's World Cup squad after a disappointing campaign with Liverpool, said yesterday: "I don't want to dwell on the past but instead to work with my new team."

Del Horno, who won the Premiership with Chelsea last year, missed the World Cup through injury. He said: "Playing in England has developed me as a player and now I can look forward to playing in the Champions League and the Primera Liga."