RUUD van Nistelrooy has insisted that he will never leave Manchester United for another Premiership club.
The United striker is wanted by both Real Madrid and Chelsea, who could potentially launch a bid before van Nistelrooy has put pen to paper on a lucrative new deal.
But while he has never completely ruled out a move to the Bernebau, he has stated that he would never leave United for any of their domestic rivals.
"My current contract comes to an end on my 30th birthday, July 1 2006," he said. "I am happy to sign a new contract though.
"I will never, ever play for another English club. Once you have played for United, the rest don't count anymore.
"All I want to do is spend as much time of my career at United as possible before I eventually return home and bring the curtain down on my career at PSV.
He added: "I am not just here to pull a shirt on, I am here because I want to be part of this great club even when I have eventually walked away.
"I have never just wanted to be here, score goals and look at my bank account. I wanted to have a warm feeling for the club. If you want to become part of the history then you have to embrace history from the past.
"To be a legend, to be part of history, you must know about the past and to achieve success you must learn to love the club you're with."
HAVING been told by Arsenal last week that Thierry Henry is not for sale at any price, big-spending Chelsea yesterday revealed they would be willing to fork out a world-record £60million if Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy became available.
Although the west London club issued a statement saying they had made no moves for the Dutch international, acting chief executive Paul Smith said Chelsea had the financial muscle to capture Van Nistelrooy if he decides to reject a new contract to stay at Old Trafford.
Chelsea’s owner, the Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich, has already spent more than £100million on new players since his summer arrival and Smith said: "If Pele was on the market today for £100million then we’d maybe go for him, but we won’t pay £30million for Joe Nobody.
"If Ruud van Nistelrooy was priced at £60million and we considered it a good investment, then we would probably pay that. It’s not about the fee but about getting good value. We want the right quality and the right value."
Smith did admit that a central defender and a midfielder are the club’s main priorities when the transfer window opens in January and that, despite Abramovich’s vast financial resources, they will not pay over the odds.
In his current post until Chelsea reach agreement with Manchester United on when Peter Kenyon can join them as their new chief executive after luring him from Old Trafford, Smith added: "We do care about the money and it’s a misconception that we don’t.
There’s not a finite budget but we want to get good value. Roman is a businessman and is determined not to get ripped off. We won’t pay the tourist price."
Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has admitted that he was both annoyed and disappointed by Ruud van Nistelrooy's role in his sending off during the infamous game against Manchester United in September.
The Gunners star was shown a red card for kicking out at the Dutchman despite television replays showing that no contact was made, and Vieira feels that the United striker has no need to indulge in such gamesmanship.
"I was annoyed at the way I felt he was acting," he told the Daily Mail.
"That's what disappointed me because I have a big respect for him because he is a tremendous player.
"But I was disappointed in the way he acted. Maybe because I have so much respect for him that's what made it worse for me, as well as the reaction after the game."
Vieira did though pay tribute to Red Devils skipper Roy Keane for his role in trying to diffuse the situation.
He added: "He said 'Appeal, Patrick'. He was trying to help me. He saw I was really upset and he kept me out of trouble.
"He knew straight away that I didn't deserve it. He told me that it was finished and I should go off. It's done, over.
"I was pleased it was him. I don't think any other Manchester United player could have done it. That's the bond between us. It's a bond of respect."
Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed he is in negotiations over a new contract which would keep him at Manchester United for the rest of his career.
The 27-year-old Dutch international last week equalled Denis Law's club record of 28 European Cup goals and insists that he wants to remain at Old Trafford despite speculation linking him with Real Madrid.
'We are in negotiations, but at the moment I have not signed anything,' van Nistelrooy told Dutch television channel RTL5.
However, the player adds he is aware of the interest from Spain.
'Of course I have heard it. What do you want me to say?' Van Nistelrooy continued.
'You know that in football everything is possible.'
But if a deal is reached with United, the Dutchman insists he will honour the agreement.
'What is certain is that if I sign a new contract with Manchester, this will mean I will finish my career there,' he said.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes that the club do not need to sign Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Spanish giants have been strongly linked with a move for the prolific Dutchman as they look to add to their already glittering array of talent, but Casillas sees no need to bring in the United hit-man.
"Today at present having Ruud van Nistelrooy is not necessary," Casillas told Spanish television.
Casillas also revealed that it is his dream to win the World Cup with Spain and he believes current coach Inaki Saez is the right man to lead the country to success.
"I have the fortune of knowing him (Saez) since I was 15-years-old and people that know him know he is a good person," added Casillas.
"He gives you confidence, values you and understands you.
"It is good looking to the future because someone had to lead the new generation."
RUUD RULES OUT PREMIERSHIP SWITCH
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