West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has joined the battle for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Mirror says the ex-Manchester United star is ready to quit the Bernabeu during the January transfer window after falling out of favour.

And West Ham boss Zola has been promised two strikers by the new owners Davis Gold and David Sullivan.

Despite his age, Van Nistelrooy, 34, has a formidable goals record both in England and Spain.