24/01/2008 15:00
Juventus Approach Gives Van Der Vaart “A Good Feeling” Rafael van der Vaart’s move to Turin looks now more likely than ever, as Hamburg and Juventus have officially begun negotiations and the Dutchman himself says he feels honoured by the Italians’ interest.
Several Italian media reported yesterday that La Vecchia Signora’s sporting director Alessio Secco had come to an initial agreement with the Germans over a possible Van der Vaart transfer in the summer, a year before the international playmaker would be able to leave his club for just 1.5 million euros.
Hamburg confirm talks
Juventus are reportedly prepared to offer 17 million for the 24-year-old star, who has also been linked with a number of English and Spanish clubs in the past few months. Hamburg confirm that negotiations are ongoing, but have yet to announce an agreement.
“We are in talks with Juventus, but we are not in a position to say anything more at the moment.” HSV chief press officer Jörn Wolf has said. Vice-chairman and director of sport Didi Beiersdorfer declined to comment on the issue, even though he and Bernd Hoffmann, the club’s board president and managing director, were the ones who met up with Secco on Tuesday.
Van der Vaart honoured
The former Ajax man, who moved from Amsterdam for less than 5.5 millions in July 2005, has told Bild tabloid that he has not had any contact whatsoever with the Italian giants.
“I feel particularly honoured. It’s nice that a big club like Juventus want me. It gives me a good feeling,” Van der Vaart was quoted in an interview published today. “I have no idea when a decision will be made. This is just the beginning. But I’m pleased that my club are talking to possible buyers. It was different last summer in the Valencia case.”
The Hamburg captain denied that his agent, Søren Lerby, has already reached an agreement with Juventus, adding that he would be happy if the matter were to be resolved as soon as possible.
Van der Vaart was also asked why he’d like to leave Germany in favour of a debt-ridden and scandal-hit calcio. “This situation doesn’t shock me. Juventus are the biggest club in Italy, they’re building a new stadium and they want to stand up to Serie A champions Internazionale next season.”
Panos Bletsos, Goal.com