Rafael van der Vaart on the verge of Tottenham exit as Hamburg move edges closer, according to report

Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart (GETTY IMAGES)

New Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas is set to continue his Spurs clearout with the sale of midfielder Rafael van der Vaart to his former club Hamburg, according to respected Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

The Bundesliga side are understood to be close to an agreement over the fee with the north London club, although the current €12 million (£9.5m) asking price remains too high for the German outfit. Former Spurs sporting director Frank Arnesen, now technical director at HSV, is reported to be negotiating the terms of the deal.

It was reported earlier in the summer that Tottenham would listen to offers for the attacking midfielder, and after being omitted from the starting XI for Spurs' defeat to Newcastle at the weekend, the player is open to move.

Van der Vaart moved to White Hart Lane in 2010 in an £8m move from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The Dutch international, who recently won his 100th cap, rediscovered his form in three successful years at Hamburg following a disappointing end to his Ajax career. His form in Germany secured him the lucrative move to Spain.

Van der Vaart's wife Sylvie, a television presenter and model, is one of the most successful Dutch personalities in Germany.

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