Stoke City have tabled a bid for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Daily Star says Stoke last night made a £2m bid for Ruud van Nistelrooy.

And Potters boss Tony Pulis is ready to give the former Manchester United star a two-and-a-half-year deal. Van Nistelrooy is desperate to quit the Bernabeu to boost his chances of playing for Holland in the World Cup.

Madrid are believed to have accepted the deal but it is now down to van Nistelrooy to decide where he wants to play.