Ruud's deal is for real this time

After all that back and forth, Van Nistelrooy is finally on his way to the Bernabeu. Real is reported to have paid 15 million euros ($25 million) to Man U for him >>

This is the third big signing for Real's new manager Fabio Capello since resigning from Juventus this summer. Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson have already joined.

Ferguson will surely now move for a top-class forward if possible, with Juventus's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Trezeguet possible targets as well as Tottenham's Jermain Defoe.

Van Nistelrooy's arrival at the Bernabeu could also signal the departure of Brazil striker Ronaldo, who has been linked with a swap deal for Inter Milan's Adriano.