Ruud van Nistelrooy has responded to Hamburg SV's refusal to allow the striker to join his former club Real Madrid by insisting he will not extend his contract when it runs out at the end of the season.

Real is in the market for a striker as cover for Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain, who is out for four months after back surgery, and had wanted the 34-year-old Dutchman to return to Madrid during the current transfer window.

However, Hamburg refused to let him go as he has a contract until the end of the season, feeling it needs the striker to help it finish as high up in the league as possible.

"A contract extension with Hamburg can now be ruled out. This is not possible any more," the player's agent, Rodger Linse, told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper.

"He cannot understand it (why Hamburg did not let him go) and he has got a problem with it. It is very, very painful," Linse said. "It is sad because Hamburg have no idea what they are doing to Ruud with this decision."

The former Dutch international joined Hamburg last January after scoring 46 goals in 68 games over three-and-a-half seasons with Real and was eager to get a last chance on the big European stage before retiring.

Elsewhere, Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel is leaving Bayern Munich for AC Milan. The Serie A leader said that the 33-year-old Van Bommel has signed a contract through June 30, but didn't give further details.

Also, Liverpool said Netherlands winger Ryan Babel will fly to Germany to complete a transfer to Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.