Rafael van der Vaart denies Bayern Munich switch
Real Madrid playmaker Rafael van der Vaart today denied reports that he was set for a move to German giants Bayern Munich.
The Bundesliga champions were reportedly set to make a bid of around 12 million euros for the 27-year-old player, but the Dutchman claimed that he had heard nothing about a possible transfer to Bayern.
Van der Vaart told newspaper De Telegraaf in his homeland that: "I don't know anything about a potential move to Bayern Munich. I was told on Sunday that I wouldn't play against Mallorca, but that had nothing to do with a transfer. I haven't been in touch with (Bayern boss) Louis van Gaal about a move to Germany."
Linked with several clubs
With new Madrid coach having brought in several midfielders over the summer — including Germany’s 2010 FIFA World Cup stars Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil — and the La Liga giants admitting that they would have to allow some players to move on, Van der Vaart’s days at the Bernebau had looked numbered. As well as Bayern and their Bundesliga rivals Schalke, he has been linked with possible moves to several English Premier League outfits and UEFA Europa League holders Athletico Madrid.
If Bayern do come through with a late bid and Van der Vaart decides to join, he will be able to link up with his Netherlands international colleague Arjen Robben — once the winger has returned from injury — at club level once again. The pair were together at Madrid in the 2008-09 season before Robben moved to Germany last summer.
Van der Vaart started his career with Ajax in his homeland, where he won two Dutch Eredivisie titles and a Dutch Cup before moving to Hamburg and then to Madrid. He has been a prominent figure for the Holland national team over the last decade, having made 83 appearances. The playmaker also featured in the World Cup final in South Africa this summer.
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