Madonna has been playing host to late night visits from a New York Yankee player amid mounting rumours her seven-year marriage to Guy Ritchie is on the brink of collapse, an American magazine has claimed.

Baseball star Alex Rodriguez, who earns $28million a year, has repeatedly been spotted leaving the singer's Central Park West apartment, according to the explosive new report.

The 32-year-old athlete is said to have arrived alone on each occasion, and would leave her residence as late as midnight.

Keeping company: Madonna, here without her wedding ring in New York over the weekend, and Alex Rodriguez, pictured at the singer's concert in April

A source told Us Weekly: 'All the doormen are talking.'

Madonna and Rodriguez's paths have also crossed in public in recent times.

He cheered on her performance at New York's Roseland Ballroom on April 30, while she returned the favour as she sat in his seats at her first known visit to a Yankees game on June 22.

Fan: Madonna sat in Rodriguez's seats at a New York Yankees game two weeks ago

'A-Rod' in action: The player is believed to earn $28million a year

Crisis talks: Guy in New York last night

In February, he was among the star-studded crowd at a gala hosted by the 49-year-old in aid of her Raising Malawi charity fund.

Madonna's husband did not attend the event.

Rodriguez, who is often referred to as 'A-Rod', is married with two young daughters.

Ritchie arrived in New York yesterday  in what is believed to be an 11th hour effort to salvage his marriage.

Neither Madonna nor the Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels director have been seen wearing their wedding rings in recent weeks.

Madonna, who is worth £300million, is widely reported to have consulted top divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton, who represented Sir Paul McCartney in his split from Heather Mills.

Mrs Shackleton’s office has refused to comment.

Meanwhile Ritchie was said to have held informal talks with family law firm Forsters.

The firm would only say: ‘We are not instructed in this matter.’

Visits: Rodriguez has reportedly been seen leaving Madonna's New York City apartment

Claims: The latest issue of US Weekly

An accountancy firm, which handles the pair's finances, have allegedly been asked to get their files in order in preparation for divorce.

Madonna has been in the US to gear up for a world tour on the back of her latest album, Hard Candy, which starts in Europe in August.

For his part, Ritchie has been editing his new gangster movie RocknRolla, due to be released in September.

Madonna has three children  - Lourdes, 11, by former personal trainer Carlos Leon, Mr Ritchie’s son Rocco, seven, and David, two, who was adopted from Malawi.

Her spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg has dismissed the reports.

She said: 'Madonna's husband Guy arrived in New York last night to be with his wife and family - not in a last ditch attempt to save his marriage which does not need saving.

'Madonna and Alex have the same manager, Guy Oseary. They have met. They know each other and Madonna took her kids to a Yankees game last week.

'There's really not anything to comment on beyond that.

'It's nothing new that people are airing tons of dirty laundry Madonna's way lately - much of it untrue.'

Following Ms Rosenberg's denial, Us Weekly responded with the claim that Rodriguez visited Madonna's Central Park West apartment in New York City shortly after his wife Cynthia gave birth to their second daughter in Miami, Florida on 21 April.

The publication alleges the sportsman possibly dropped in on Madonna as early as the night after the birth.

Rodriguez's management refused to comment.