Written by Football Talk.
Real Madrid midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart has claimed that he would find it ‘impossible to turn down’ the offer of first team football from either Chelsea or Liverpool, and describing reported interest from the Premiership duo as ‘very flattering’.
The Dutch playmaker has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeau for over two years now, with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United all credited with interest in the past. However, more recent reports have linked Chelsea and Liverpool with moves for the 27-year-old and Van der Vaart has hinted now may be the time for a move in order to secure first team football, something that he has failed to find at Madrid.
Van der Vaart has pledged not to play for another Spanish club, so a move to the Premier League could be on the cards and the player has opened the doors to either Chelsea or Liverpool should they offer him first team opportunities.
Van der Vaart told the Daily Star Sunday: “I have heard of the interest from Liverpool and Chelsea – and that is very flattering,”
“If either of them were willing to offer me first-team football, I will be honest that it would be very hard for me to not listen to what they had to say.
“I think I have the relationship with Madrid where they understand my position and would let me hold talks.
“I expect the majority of transfers to be concluded in the next two weeks, and if Chelsea or Liverpool wanted to talk with me I would at the very least listen to what they have to say.
“They are both giants, and if they could offer first-team football it may prove impossible to turn down.
“I wouldn’t be willing to play for any clubs in Spain out of respect for Madrid, so in my eyes the only other place to go would be the Premier League.
“It’s the only league that competes with the standard of La Liga.”
