Bundesliga giants Hamburg have come to the conclusion that they cannot afford to sign Rafael van der Vaart from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

 

Hamburg had set their sights on bringing back their former midfielder, who has admitted he still has an attachment to Germany, feeling "a little German".

 

There had been talk that a wealthy businessman, who has helped Hamburg finance signings before, may aid the club in their pursuit of the Dutch midfielder – but this now hope appears forlorn.

 

"We cannot finance the arrival of the Dutch international", said Hamburg chairman Carl-Edgar Jarchow, appearing to end the Bundesliga club’s interest.

 

Van der Vaart has been heavily linked with a switch away from White Hart Lane this summer and it has even been speculated that the 29-year-old could move to the United Arab Emirates if he cannot secure a move to another top level European side.

 

The former Real Madrid schemer is under contract with Spurs until 2014.

 

And so his next contract deal could potentially be his final lucrative agreement.

 

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