English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur were still awaiting clearance at press time yesterday on the last-gasp, cut-price transfer of Dutch playmaker Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp became aware of 27-year-old Van der Vaart’s availability just two hours before the transfer deadline.
Redknapp claimed the Netherlands star had been due to join Bayern Munich for 22 million euros (US$28 million), but the move broke down on Monday and Spurs had swooped in a bid to sign the player for a slashed fee.
PHOTO: AFP
“It’s still dragging on. We are just waiting to see whether it’s all gone through,” Redknapp told Sky Sports News. “We are waiting for clearance. The chairman is dealing with it and Darren Eales the secretary, there is nothing more I can do now.”
Redknapp revealed he turned his attention to Van der Vaart, who played in the World Cup final in South Africa, once it became apparent that Real were prepared to part with him in a cut-price deal.
“I think he was going to Bayern Munich yesterday for about £18 million [US$28 million], but suddenly it became an awful lot cheaper,” he said. “He is available now for about £8 million. He is a quality player. He is a Dutch international and a great footballer.”
On Tuesday, Brazilian star Robinho’s nightmare two-year stay at Manchester City came to an agreeable conclusion for both parties on Tuesday when he signed for Serie A giants AC Milan on a frenetic final day of trading as the transfer deadline approached.
Robinho may have gone for a relative song — 18 million euros as opposed to the club record 42 million euros City paid out — but his recruitment only added to the sense of urgency at the Milan club as they seek to end bitter city rivals Inter’s dominance.
Robinho — who signed a four-year contract — joins new signing Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Milan where they will join Brazilian duo Ronaldinho and Pato as they bid to end Inter’s resurgence which climaxed with the domestic double — taking their fifth successive league crown — and the Champions League title last season.
One player who won’t be part of the dream team will be Italy international striker Marco Borriello, as the 28-year-old already unhappy at Ibrahimovic’s arrival agreed to move to AS Roma.
Milan were the only one of the big European guns to flex their financial muscle on deadline day and it was left mainly to German and mid-level English clubs to strengthen their squads.
However, supporters of English sides Sunderland, Stoke City and Birmingham City will be hoping their ambitions are higher than mere survival after splashing out.
Sunderland welcome to the Stadium of Light a record signing in the form of Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan, who earned a 16 million euros move from French side Stade Rennais on the back of outstanding performances for his country at the World Cup finals.
“The Sunderland coach [Steve Bruce] has faith in me because he has been following me for two years now. I am pleased I have the opportunity to come to England,” the 24-year-old said. “I follow English football and I know Sunderland have incredible fans. I especially know about the derby when they play against Newcastle. That is something incredible. I have witnessed that myself.”
Stoke finished a highly creditable 11th on their maiden season in the Premier League last term, but manager Tony Pulis showed he means to reach higher with four signings, including persuading veteran Senegalese midfielder Salif Diao to re-sign after he had originally left the club at the end of last season.
However, it will be the signings of Champions League winning Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen and Republic of Ireland under-21 midfielder Marc Wilson that will have the supporters purring.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish signed three players — former Arsenal star Alexander Hleb, on a year’s loan from Barcelona, Spartak Moscow defender Martin Jiranek and Chile winger Jean Beausejour, who was outstanding at the World Cup.
German giants such as Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen kept their powder dry, but Schalke 04 reacted to their haul of no points from their first two matches by signing three players.
They signed Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, for 14 million euros from AC Milan, Spanish attacking midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado and 19-year-old French defender Nicolas Plestan. Jurado, will play alongside idol and former Real Madrid legend Raul.
“It’s a train that passes once in a lifetime and I couldn’t let it pass,” Jurado said. “It will be an honor to play with Raul.”
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