BERLIN (AFP) — A pair of the Bundesliga's brightest stars - Werder Bremen midfielder Diego and Hamburg captain Rafael van der Vaart - are being hunted by Italian giants Juventus, according to reports here.
While Werder are battling hard to keep the services of their Brazilian midfield maestro Diego, Hamburg confirm they have already spoken to Juventus about naming a price for want-away Dutchman van der Vaart.
"We are in discussions with Juventus, but we can't say more at this stage," Hamburg spokesman Joern Wolf told German agency SID.
Van der Vaart is under contract until 2010, but can leave Hamburg next year for a fixed transfer fee of 1.5 million euros (2 million US dollars), but the 24-year-old is reported to be worth 20 million euros (29 million US dollars) in the current market.
The Dutchman has rejected a contract extension and has made no secret of his desire to join a big European club, having been famously photographed with a Valencia shirt last summer which drew Hamburg's wrath.
Meanwhile, Werder's director of sport Klaus Allofs denied rumours of an approach from Juventus for their star who has already been targeted by Spanish giants Real Madrid.
But Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri has long since voiced his desire to see Diego play at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino in Turin.
"There is no inquiry from Juventus, and we will not talk with any clubs about signing Diego, he is a firm part of our plans," said Allofs about his star who is contracted until June 2011.
While Werder are battling hard to keep the services of their Brazilian midfield maestro Diego, Hamburg confirm they have already spoken to Juventus about naming a price for want-away Dutchman van der Vaart.
"We are in discussions with Juventus, but we can't say more at this stage," Hamburg spokesman Joern Wolf told German agency SID.
Van der Vaart is under contract until 2010, but can leave Hamburg next year for a fixed transfer fee of 1.5 million euros (2 million US dollars), but the 24-year-old is reported to be worth 20 million euros (29 million US dollars) in the current market.
The Dutchman has rejected a contract extension and has made no secret of his desire to join a big European club, having been famously photographed with a Valencia shirt last summer which drew Hamburg's wrath.
Meanwhile, Werder's director of sport Klaus Allofs denied rumours of an approach from Juventus for their star who has already been targeted by Spanish giants Real Madrid.
But Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri has long since voiced his desire to see Diego play at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino in Turin.
"There is no inquiry from Juventus, and we will not talk with any clubs about signing Diego, he is a firm part of our plans," said Allofs about his star who is contracted until June 2011.
