Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expects to see striker Ruud van Nistelrooy return to training on Monday.
The 30-year-old Dutchman has been the subject of a £12m bid from Real Madrid, but United are holding out for £16m for the forward.
“They have made an offer, we have rejected it,” confirmed Ferguson.
“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,” Ferguson added.
Real vice-president Juan Mendoza has warned United that they will look elsewhere if they United are not prepared to reduce their aasking price.
“We are not going to drive ourselves crazy trying to meet valuations which don’t bear any relation to the market,” he said.
“We’re about to reach the point where we break off all negotiations even though the player clearly wants to play for us.
“It’s time to make it clear to Manchester United that Real Madrid are not going to be held to ransom over exorbitant prices.”
