Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean confirms interest in signing Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy (PROSHOTS)

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Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has revealed that he would like Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to join the Ewood Park club.

The club’s hopes of recruiting the player from Real Madrid in 2009 were shattered after former boss Sam Allardyce acknowledged that Blackburn could not meet van Nistelrooy’s demands in terms of wages.

However, Rovers’ owners Venky’s are more likely to overlook budgetary constraints and make the signing in a bid to impove the team’s chances of eventually competing in Europe.

The 34-year-old’s contract at Hamburg is due to expire at the end of the season and could make his comeback to the Premier League.

Steven Kean told ESPNsoccernet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after Scotland’s clash with Brazil: “Yes, I can confirm we are interested.”

Former Real Madrid player Michel Salgado could help pave the way for van Nistelrooy’s move, having spent ten years at the Bernabeu before joining Ewood Park in 2009 and being a good friend of the striker.

Van Nistelrooy was linked to a move back to Madrid in January but Hamburg refused to allow the deal, wanting to keep their star striker at the club.

He has, however, said that he would take the chance to play in the Premier League again.

He told the Sunday Mirror: “I am thinking about a nice club in England after this season, or a club in Spain, but I don’t think Real Madrid will come again after their efforts to bring me back in the January transfer window.”

“I have decided that if a really big European club does approach me, I will accept a role as reserve striker.

“I would have accepted that too if the deal with Real Madrid had come off in January. They knew I was ready to step in when needed.”