New York, December 10 : Madonna, who has been speculated to be in a relationship with Alex Rodriguez, is hunting for a new house to be close to her alleged beau, according to sources.

The Queen of Pop, who split with director hubby Guy Ritchie in November, is reportedly eyeing places that are within easy reach to one another.

"Before his divorce, Alex was searching for houses on the upper East Side and Madonna offered to help him," the New York Daily News quoted him as saying.

"She wanted Alex to have a big house that would be suitable for kids, and she didn''t want a building with a nosy doorman who would talk. Madonna wanted a place where they could go and be together without prying eyes."

"They don''t want to be in the same apartment, but they do want to be near one another. Both sides have sent their reps to look at places,” the source added.

While the ace baseball player has denied any romance with the singer insisting they are “just friends”, the source revealed that the two were smitten with each other.

The source said: "Alex and Madonna are very, very cozy. Yes, they are intimate, and they are intoxicated with one another. Alex can''t get over that he''s with Madonna." (ANI)