Jol - Rafael wants to stay

But Spanish swoop could tempt Dutch star

By Chris Ives   Last updated: 3rd July 2008

Rafael Van Der Vaart Holland

Van der Vaart: Loves Hamburg

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New Hamburg coach Martin Jol believes Rafael van der Vaart wants to stay at the club, but could not rule out a move to Spain.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked with the talented midfielder after his displays at Euro 2008, while Real Madrid and Barcelona are said to be monitoring the situation.

Speaking in an interview with the club's official website, Jol revealed that the Dutch international has no problems with playing for the Rothosen, for the moment.

"Van der Vaart is a special case," Jol said.

"Zeljko Petrovic (Jol's assistant) has spoken to him on the phone and he said once again that he would like to stay at Hamburg.

"He loves Hamburg."

Offer

Jol did, however, leave the possibility open that the club might be forced to sell the playmaker if a top Spanish club comes in for the 25-year-old.

He added: "It could be that he would think about moving if a club like Real Madrid or Barcelona makes an offer - that is what we have learned from past experience."

Jol added that he hoped to promote a more attacking style of football at the HSH Nordbank Arena next season.

"We have to start scoring goals from all sorts of positions," he said.

"We only scored 40 goals last season and you don't usually finish fourth with that sort of haul."