[Fillipo Simone]

Atletico Madrid Knock On Van Der Vaart’s Door

Rafael Van Der Vaart must be Europe’s, if not the world’s, most sought after player at the moment, as the Spanish sports newspaper AS reported today that Atletico Madrid have joined the race to sign the Dutch master.

Spain’s second largest sports tabloid, with over one million readers per day, the capital-based As reveals that Javier Aguirre has listed the HSV super star as his main transfer target for the coming summer. According to the report the Mexican coach acknowledges the stiff competition, but thinks that Atletico really stand a chance, as they are prepared to hand out as much as 20 million euros, matching the Milan and Juventus Turin offers. 

Only the very best

Besides the two Serie A giants other major European superpowers, such as Bayern Munich, Internazionale, Barcelona, Valencia and Chelsea, have reportedly either made their moves or considered making one. But Aguirre is hopeful, as he thinks that Van Der Vaart does certainly not favour a move to Italy. 

The former Ajax man has himself suggested that he prefers Spain, his mother’s homeland, instead, with Valencia enjoying a comparative advantage: Ronald Koeman. However, their relationship with Hamburg was shaken last summer, when Van Der Vaart even posed with a Ches shirt before the move was finally aborted. 

The 1.5-million clause

The 24-year-old international playmaker, arguably HSV’s most prized asset, is committed to the club up until June 30, 2010, but it seems more than likely that he’ll leave them at the end of the season. The Germans bought him for 5.5 million in June 2005, but they’re expected to cash in almost four times that amount should they decide to sell him before the summer of ’09, when – according to a contract clause – any club interested will be able to get Van Der Vaart for an 1.5-million bargain price. 

Atletico’s governing board are prepared to offer the amount of money needed. Now it’s up to Aguirre and his players to ensure the Madrid side are able to offer Van Der Vaart something he really craves: UEFA Champions League football.

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) ?? We made an offer??? We are "in" for van der Vaart? This is my first...

[Jack Sparrow]

I would have preferred one more Pirlo type. Though if Van Der Vaart comes in, I wouldn't buy a forward, instead play a 4-2-3-1. 3 strikers(Ronaldo is out as far i'm concerned) vying for one position is cool. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)