Spanish newspaper El Marca is reporting that Real Madrid have come to an agreement with 25-year-old Hamburg midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.
The Dutch midfielder would join fellow compatriots Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, and Ruud van Nistelrooy in the attacking half for the defending La Liga champions.
After being linked to Tottenham earlier this summer, van der Vaart had reportedly said he would rather stay with Hamburger SV than leave for a club at the same level. However, he did hint that he would be open to a move to one of the major clubs in England, Spain, or Italy.
Over the last two summers, Madrid has signed four Dutch players—Robben, Sneijder, and Royston Drenthe all joined the club last season—and will now sport five on their roster. After watching this year's European Championship, it looks like Madrid hope to replicate some of the attacking prowess that the Oranje showed in Austria/Switzerland.
When my friend sent me a post from the German newspaper Kicker announcing the trade this morning, the only word of the article I understood was "Madrid."
Both Kicker and El Marca are reporting that a deal is done with van der Vaart and the transfer is expected to be completed with over the next few days in the neighborhood of €20 million.
Where will van der Vaart fit in with Madrid? The Spanish giants seem to have an abundance of attacking midfielders already with Robben, Sneijder, Robinho, Baptista, and Guti.
But, if recent reports are correct, Robinho could be on his way to Chelsea, which would explain Madrid’s thinking when bringing in van der Vaart.
Another big issue this raises is Los Blancos' interest in Cristiano Ronaldo. Earlier this summer the transfer looked inevitable but with talks slowing down lately and this deal in place, it looks less and less likely that Ronaldo will join Madrid.
With this deal all but finished, here is a look at what Real's starting lineup could look like as they attempt to defend their La Liga title:
GK: Ikar Casillas.
DEF: Fabio Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos, Gabriel Heinze, Pepe.
MID: Fernando Gago, Sneijder, Robben, Van Der Vaart.
ATT: Van Nistelrooy and Raul.
This is an incredibly potent team that can score goals and will not give up many. They also leave Bernd Schuster many options; whether he wants to play a 4-4-2 or his prefered 4-5-1 he has the players.
What do you think about this transfer and what it will do for Madrid this next season. Also, what does it means for Ronaldo's future with Man U.
Article originally published on The Looper.
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3 months ago
It's really sickening how Madrid can stockpile talent like they do. The same goes for Barcelona, Chelsea and even Arsenal, although Arsene Wenger admitted to some financial woes in the past week. It's a good move for van der Vaart though I'm sad at the prospect of him leaving HSV.
3 months ago
This is a perfect move from Real Madrid, and exactly the kind of player I've wanted them to sign all summer.
The way Madrid has been setting up, we have one main striker, two wingers, two centeral midfielders to run the park, one CDM and then a back four. Up until now, we've have everything, Ruud up top, Robben/Robinho/Higuain on the wings, but Sneijder has had no partner in midfield.
Diarra starts behind Sniejder, but he has nobody to partner with, and it was evident last season. Gago is rough and unfinished, guti is the world's most inconsistent player as well as aging, and that's about it really.
Van der Vaart is a fellow national with Wesley, same language, obvious ability playing together in the Euros, a brilliant chance at a midfield partnership that can be absolutely terrifying to opposition defenses.
There's alot of controversy surrounding this transfer right now, with no real reputable source coming out to confirm (Marca has always been seen as the mouthpiece of Real, and sometimes gets its facts wrong). But if it's true, it's going to be one of the smartest signings we've made for a long time.
from 3 months ago
Ben, good point. Since I wrote this story, some reporters got in touch with Rafael and he said that he had not heard anything about these reports but said he was flattered. I don't know exactly what that means but over the next few days I am sure this will all become much clearer.
I am really excited to see him in the lineup and after so much talk of Ronaldo joining the team, I think van der Vaart is a much better fit for Madrid and the team they have right now.
I am very high on Gago's potential and I think he could be a mix between Diarra's toughness and Guti's deft touch. They could have one of the best midfields in the world next season.
from 3 months ago
Well they already have one of the best defenses on paper in the world, I can only hope that their midfield bulks up. We need to carve the fat off: lose Baptista, Saviola, the players that are not that good who take up money and space. That's annoying me to no end.
But Van der Vaart would be an inspired signing. I've watched a lot of Gago, and to be honest, I'm not sold on his quality, but I can be convinced. You're right in saying that he is a mix between Diarra and Guti, but whether he can be as good as either of those players is a bit much for me to affirm. I've seen him play well, but I'm yet to be wowed.
But maybe you're right, only time will tell.
from 3 months ago
I think you are right with the need to "carve fat." But I worry about not having enough strikers with both Raul and Van Gol getting up there in age and susceptible to injuries. Saviola is not the answer and while I like Higuain, I don't know if he has the experience. The Beast needs to be replaced and by bringing someone like van der Vaart we could have Guti is his best position—the super sub that comes in and inspires the team.
3 months ago
We want CRISTIANO RONALDOOOOO........
from 3 months ago
I love Ronaldo but I don't know if he is the right move for Madrid. He brings up memories of the galacticos era—a time when we didn't win. There is a great thing going in the locker room with Schuster and the players and I am afraid Ronaldo would disrupt that and no production on the field would be worth messing up what has won back-to-back titles in La Liga.
3 months ago
its ROBBEN, not robber
what about GUTI
what about ROBINHO
What about HIGUAIN
I like robber, looooool, you should not be allowed to write. Please post, thanks.
from 3 months ago
My mistake with Robber.
As for the exclusion of those players, here is my reasoning:
Guti: He is too inconsistent. When he is one, he is brilliant, making passes and slicing up defenses like no one else in the world. But, unfortunately for Real, he is not like that all the time and it seems like for every good game he has, he has one or two equally as bad. He has been a super sub for Los Blancos and I think that is the best role for him unless he finds consistency.
Robinho: I love the guy and think he is a true star. But I also don't think he is going to be on the team next year. At the end of last season he fell out of the main rotation and never seemed to get on the same page with Schuster. I don't like it, but I think he will be playing elsewhere come August.
Higuain: He is the next great striker for Madrid but he still is a work in progress. I loved what he did at the end of last season. His goal to win the league was sublime and he was a real spark plug for the team. Van Gol is probably in his last season with the club and soon he will make way for Higuain. But it is going to take another year.
Thanks for the support man.
2 months ago
Interestingly enough..the deal still hasn't been completed...Marca say it will be but next week..
from 2 months ago
Haha yeah. I may have jumped the gun a little bit with this article but it now is being reported in many more places that just Marca—not the most reliable source—that a deal for 10 million euros is done and that HSV vs Real Madrid this weekend could be van der Vaarts last game with the German side.
So maybe I was a little early, but it looks like the deal will get done after all, and—because of VDV's crazy contract clause—for much cheaper than a player of his quality should be sold for.
25 days ago
My Dream Team in which i would love to see is:
GK:Iker Casillas
DEF:Ramos,Pepe,Cannavaro,Heinze
ATT MIDS:Robben,Sneijder,van der Vaart
DEF MID:Gago
FORW:Higuain, Van Nistelrooy
from 25 days ago
That would be a great team. I think the biggest issue with Madrid right now is the defense that is just a mess. We gave up four goals to NUMANCIA!!
I would also say that de la red should get a shot in front of Gago. I am a huge supporter of Gago and have been for a long time but this season and preseason, de la red has brought a lot more to the team than has Gago.
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