Andre Villas-Boas accuses Hamburg of disrespect over Rafael van der Vaart deal

Michael Dawson was told he was no longer required at Spurs (Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has accused Hamburg of disrespect over attempts to re-sign Rafael van der Vaart. The Dutch international has been linked with a move back to Germany after the arrival at White Hart Lane of Gylfi Sigurdsson.

"We have interest from Hamburg, but an offer of that dimension is not something the player deserves," Villas-Boas said. "Tottenham should be respected. [The transfer] doesn't seem to be happening."

The Portuguese also dampened talk of a switch for Marseilles striker Loïc Rémy, whose club yesterday said they had turned down a bid from Spurs, while he also admitted that a move for Shakhtar Donetsk's Willian was in danger of breaking down. Negotiations over a move for the Lyons goalkeeper Hugo Lloris remain ongoing.

The club's defensive options worsened yesterday after Younes Kaboul was ruled out for four months. The France international has had surgery on his left knee. Villas-Boas lost the services of Ledley King, Sébastien Bassong and Ryan Nelsen this summer, and is now prepared to keep Michael Dawson. "We are happy with the situation," he said.

In better news for Spurs, striker Jermain Defoe has signed a new three-year deal at White Hart Lane.