Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart targets Liverpool FC switch

by Richard Buxton. Published Sun 25 Jul 2010 15:16, Last updated: 2010-07-25

Rafael van der Vaart is courting a move to either Chelsea or Liverpool, but only if he is guaranteed first-team football.

The Holland international, 27, was the subject of talks between the Reds and Real Madrid in April but a deal failed to materialise from the discussions.

Van der Vaart made just 31 domestic appearances for Real last season after failing to feature in Manuel Pellegrini's plans and is expected to be offloaded by Jose Mourinho, who succeeded the Chilean at the Bernabeu.

Injury curtailed the attacking midfielder's impact at this summer's World Cup despite making a substitute appearance in Holland's defeat to Spain in the final.

But after hearing that interest from Anfield has not waned in addition to that of the Premier League champions, van der Vaart is attempting to engineer a move to a club able to offer guarantees of regular first-team football but insists he will not remain in La Liga.

He said: "I have heard of the interest from Liverpool and Chelsea - and that is very flattering.

"If either of them were willing to offer me first-team football, I will be honest that it would be very hard for me to not listen to what they had to say.

"I think I have the relationship with Madrid where they understand my position and would let me hold talks.

"I expect the majority of transfers to be concluded in the next two weeks, and if Chelsea or Liverpool wanted to talk with me I would at the very least listen to what they have to say.

"They are both giants, and if they could offer first-team football it may prove impossible to turn down. Real Madrid is the most prestigious club in the world and I am happy here and also in Spain, but I am at the age where I have to be playing first-team football.

"I am getting to the point where I will be hitting my peak years and I need to spend those years at a club where I will be playing regularly. The boss knows how much he plans to use me, and if he is willing to listen to offers for me.

"I wouldn't be willing to play for any clubs in Spain out of respect for Madrid, so in my eyes the only other place to go would be the Premier League.

"It's the only league that competes with the standard of La Liga."

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Comments about Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart targets Liverpool FC switch

If he can play left wing, and is happy to play there - get him. We have no naturally left footed wingers, and he is top quality- buy him!
Dan Coleman, Hampshire around 1 year, 5 months ago
Liverpool have greater needs like left backs a striker and a left wing do not think he is what is needed if Torres is sold maybe.
daboy, oz around 1 year, 6 months ago
sign him roy.he s a gud player in EPL side.dont lose him ynwa
hitman, india around 1 year, 6 months ago
All who are saying vandervart, where is he going to play, lucas, aqualani, gerrard, replacement of mascerano, spearing(in hudgson's plan)???
Ashok, India around 1 year, 6 months ago
i think we should buy him.i think rayan babel can fill the gap of torres and we should buy still buy one winger that is turan and oneleftbck
suman, china around 1 year, 6 months ago
Its great to see interest in so many creative players but what happebed to getting backup for Torres
Lookhere, ZA around 1 year, 6 months ago
lets go for him Roy we want the best for the reds as long as he is not going to let us walk alone.UP THE REDS
thizah, ZIM around 1 year, 6 months ago
great player kept kaka out of the team last year and only 3 years ago he was the hottest thing in europe
jonathanwhelan, ireland around 1 year, 6 months ago
If he is to compete with Cole he would get plenty of playing time. Hodgson wants a striker and he is not it anyway...Pobably costs much too.
m kop, Bosnia around 1 year, 6 months ago
do it fast roy, u will rarely get a player like him.
anubhav mohanty, jamshedpur, india around 1 year, 6 months ago
Chelsea or Liverpool? In that case, Chelsea. He's good, he's skillful, but he doesn't have the heart of a Liverpool player.
red2death, Liverpool around 1 year, 6 months ago
All good, but how much would the switch cost? if your looking at more than 15m, then i might be thinkin that is out of our price range. Fing
KopThisMate, Australia around 1 year, 6 months ago
GK Rena Eglsh GK Eglsh GK Dr Cara Skrtl W Smuel Wayne Wilson Jhsn Ager Resv Md Gerd Joe VDV Dirk Jova Lcs Mx Jj Str Tors Hunter Llte EglBy
MrMuhammad, Malaysia around 1 year, 6 months ago
liverpool need players like him.. skillful, inventive and proven goalscorer.
madworld, KL around 1 year, 6 months ago


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