Madonna and A-Rod Getting Even Closer!

He may claim they're "just friends", and she may not be willing to let him move in with him, but Madge is certainly willing to move him closer to her, according to Gatecrasher.

The Material girl is apparently helping the NY slugger find a "suitable" new home (i.e. big enough for her and all her kids, close to Madonna's own apartment).

Says an "insider":

"Before his divorce, Alex was searching for houses on the upper East Side and Madonna offered to help him. 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."

The spy goes on to say:

"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."

BUT

"This isn't a deep and serious love affair. It will last as long as Madonna wants it to," says the source. "She could get five or six years out of it - but only if it's in her best interest to keep him around."

Sounds like Alex better look into renting before he decides to buy!