Rafael van der Vaart Edging Towards Hamburg Return

Thursday, 23rd August, 2012

Rafael van der Vaart is hopeful of leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Hamburg before the transfer window slams shut, according to Dutch daily De Telegraaf.

Van der Vaart has fond memories of his first spell with the German giants between 2005 and 2008, and has been a target for Hamburg all summer.

Financial concerns have until now prevented a deal from being done, with Hamburg unsure about affording the fee required for Van der Vaart, along with the attacking midfielder’s wage demands seeming to scupper any chance of a move.

But Van der Vaart increasingly wants to join Hamburg and will even make financial sacrifices to push the deal through.

Now the 29-year-old is waiting for negotiations between Tottenham and Hamburg to make progress, with the German club’s sporting director Frank Arnesen not excluding the possibility matters could be settled on transfer deadline day itself.

"Maybe it’s a last minute deal", said Arnesen.

Van der Vaart is not guaranteed playing time at White Hart Lane under new Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas and returning to Hamburg is a popular option for the Dutchman.

The midfielder admitted earlier this year and, along with his wife, he feels a little German. He may now be set to return to the country to reprise his Bundesliga career.