Alex Ferguson is prepared to roll out the welcome mat for Ruud van Nistelrooy's return to training with Manchester United on Monday.

The Dutch striker's future has been the subject of intense speculation throughout the summer, with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich heavily linked with the 30-year-old.

A move at some point seemed inevitable given van Nistelrooy's end-of-season bust-up with Ferguson.

Real quickly moved in and, with new coach Fabio Capello confirming his interest in signing the former PSV Eindhoven man, it was thought van Nistelrooy would be unveiled at the Bernabeu this week.

Instead, discussions have stalled over the fee, with Real refusing to meet United's £15million valuation and now starting to make veiled threats they will not be held to ransom.

Bayern remain hopeful of luring Van Nistelrooy - a fluent German speaker - to the Bundesliga.

However, no deal will be completed over the weekend, meaning the forward is expected back at United's Carrington training base for the start of his pre-season work on Monday.

Ferguson claims he will be delighted to see the forward and would have no problem if he was still part of his squad next season.

"Ruud is not definitely leaving and I expect to see him at training on Monday," Ferguson said.

"I spoke to (chief executive) David Gill on the phone on Thursday and there is no development as far as Real Madrid is concerned.

"They have made an offer, we have rejected it. That is where the situation lies. If they don't come back in and increase their offer, he won't be going and I would be content with that. It would not bother me one bit.

"He is a striker who can score upwards of 20 goals a season and there are not many of those going around."  PA