Ruud van Nistelrooy (Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Football Transfer News - The Sun reports that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in getting Real Madrid star Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has admitted that he can negotiate with other clubs in January.

With other stars like Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain also vying for the places up front, the Dutch striker faces stiff competition to play regularly for Real Madrid.

After being put off a move for Van Nistelrooy last summer due to his wage demands and injury problems, Redknapp may try to land him on a free transfer at the end of the current season.

“In January I can negotiate, see what comes and what the club does. It’s a matter of playing and getting my form back,” the striker said.

Van Nistelrooy was sidelined for ten months before making a scoring return against Xerez in September, but he suffered another knock and was out for another five weeks.

Now back in action, the former Manchester United star knows that playing every week for Manuel Pellegrini’s team will be difficult.

“I’m fully fit now, healthy physically and mentally,” he added.Redknapp signed Peter Crouch in the summer to add to his strikeforce at Spurs.

However, he looks set to sell Roman Pavlyuchenko and could consider the Real Madrid forward a good replacement.

This story from England contradicts news coming from Italy. According to Calciomercato.it, Van Nistelrooy is said to be close to joining Roma. The Giallorossi have been following the hitman, but missed out on landing him in the summer.