Rafael Van der Vaart to Tottenham Hotspur: Is the Dutchman Leaving Real Madrid?

It was probably the most intriguing reported move of the final day of the international transfer window.

As the clock ticked down on soccer clubs around the world, Tottenham Hotspur, already in the group stage of the Champions League for the first time since 1962, seemingly swooped in to claim star Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart for a fee of around £8 million.

While it remains unclear as to whether or not the deal was completed before the deadline, Spurs head coach Harry Redknapp hopes to have filed the requisite documents with the Premier League in time to finalize the deal.

According to reports, the Premier League will rule on Wednesday whether or not the transfer went through on time.

"It's still dragging on," Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "We have been trying to do something. We are just waiting for some clearance.

"I think he was going to Bayern Munich yesterday for £18 million. He is available now for about £8 million and we thought for that amount of money he is a top player.

"I'm hopeful, it could happen, honestly I wouldn't like to say one way or the other. It was a last-minute job. It's round about £8 million."

It's clear that Van der Vaart didn't live up to expectations with the Galacticos, but he could prove to be a welcome addition to the Spurs midfield.

Van der Vaart, 27, was on the Netherlands side that reached the final of this summer's World Cup in South Africa. He played in the Dutch side's defeat to Spain in the World Cup final but has been unable to land a regular role in Real Madrid's starting side since joining the club from Hamburg in the summer of 2008, scoring just 11 goals in 58 first-team appearances.