AS says Real sports chief Pedja Mijatovic is ready to hand the Dutchman a 12-month extension to his present deal - which expires in 2009. Mijatovic plans talks during next week's international break.

A Real insider said: "Ruud is an exemplary sportsman, at the very same height of Raul. He trains as he plays, has never given us a problem and is helping to integrate the Dutch that arrived in the summer.

"Van Nistelrooy was key in the Liga that we won and this year returns to be the most effective forward. This renewal is deserved."