Van der Vaart set for switch
Real Madrid midfielder Rafael Van de Vaart is set to leave the Bernabeu this summer, after being told he is not in new coach Manuel Pellegrini’s plans.
The Dutch international has made 32 league appearances - netting five times - since joining the Madridistas last summer.
However, following the expensive acquisitions of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo from AC Milan and Manchester United respectively, reports suggest Real are open to offers for Dutch quintet Wesley Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Arjen Robben, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ruud van Nistelrooy in order to help balance the books.
Van der Vaart himself - who has been capped 68 times by his country - has been linked with a return to former clubs Hamburg and Ajax, as well as Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
And a move now seems all-but assured for the 26-year-old, after revealing he is surplus to requirements in the Spanish capital.
“The coach has told me I will not play. It makes no sense for me to remain here,” he told Bild.
While in De Telegraaf he added: “Of course I am interested in HSV, but it’s not the only option for me.
“The most important thing is that I will play for a new club.”
REAL MADRID FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expandinginterviewssection for more stuff to read:
Q&A Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Raul, Robinho, Fabio Cannavaro, Fabio Capello, Samuel Eto'o
One on One Michael Owen, Ronaldo, Nicolas Anelka, David Beckham
Web Exclusives Guus Hiddink
And Another Thing Best league in the world?
Sing When You’re Winning Rafael Nadal
My Secret Vice Michel Salgado
Perfect XI Gheorghe Hagi
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Plus! Rate Real players (and others) on Talentspotter
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.