Stoke City are aiming to trump Liverpool for want-away Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Sun says Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes he can trump the Reds by offering van Nistelrooy what he wants most of all - a starting place leading up to the World Cup.

Pulis can land the Dutch ace on a free from Real Madrid, where he has been relegated to a bit part role.

Van Nistelrooy, 33, has been told that he must be playing regularly if he is to make Holland's squad for the tournament in South Africa this summer.

He desperately wants one final fling at the World Cup.

And Pulis will try to convince him he has more chance of starting for Stoke than he does as a back-up to Fernando Torres at Anfield.