Van der Vaart set for Real

Los Merengues close on Dutch ace

By Lucas Brown & Francisco Acedo   Last updated: 30th July 2008

Rafael van der Vaart Hamburg

Van der Vaart: Close to Real deal

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Real Madrid will complete the signing of Rafael Van der Vaart next week after negotiations are concluded following their game with Hamburg in London, according to Marca.

The Spanish giants have lodged a new bid of 10million euros (£7.8m) and expect that to be accepted allowing talks to begin between the clubs and the player's representative.

With Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival from Manchester United looking increasingly unlikely, Madrid have turned their attentions to other players after Bernd Schuster pleaded with the club's hierarchy to add to his squad.

Van der Vaart has been on the club's wanted list for months, but with all the focus placed on signing just one player Los Merengues are now having to push on with Plan B.

The Holland international recently expressed an interest in joining the Primera Liga champions, paving the way for an approach.

"If I leave Hamburg it will only be for a big club like Real Madrid," said the 25-year-old.

Relented

Hamburg meet Real Madrid in the Emirates Cup at Arsenal's stadium on Saturday and then play Juventus on Sunday, giving Van der Vaart two chances to showcase his talent to Schuster.

Ramon Calderon has backed down over his plans not to sign anyone should Ronaldo not be available and relented for the sake of the coach who asked for new faces to freshen things up.

According to Marca, Hamburg have decided to sell and will use the money to find a replacement and, after turning down just 6million euros (£4.7m) last week, are expected to accept the improved offer.

Schuster is believed to have asked sporting director, Predrag Mijatovic, on 10th July, to do a deal with Hamburg after initial contact was made and a deal appeared to be possible.