The former Netherlands international is out of favour at Real Betis.
Rafael van der Vaart celebrates after scoring for Spurs
Former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart has been linked with a sensational switch to Reading, according to local publication getreading.
The former Netherlands international is currently at La Liga side Real Betis, but had a disappointing season in Seville after arriving from Hamburg last summer, playing just nine matches for the Spanish side. Getreading say he is available for transfer, and that Reading have already held discussions with the player, though the 2010 World Cup finalist’s wages could prove a stumbling block.
Jaap Stam
But still only 33-years-old, there is no doubt that the attacking midfielder should have enough quality to be a stellar signing for a Championship side, and with his former international teammate Japp Stam in charge at the Royals, a move to the Madejski Stadium may not be as surprising as it sounds.
Van der Vaart is best remembered in England for an impressive two-year spell with Spurs the last time they were in the Champions League. Under Harry Redknapp, the Dutchman was a classy attacking player who managed to score 28 times in 78 matches for the North Londoners.
Rafael Van der Vaart
He struggled to convince Andre Villas-Boas of his quality when the Portuguese took over, and it was perhaps only last season when Dele Alli emerged that an attacking midfielder replicated Van der Vaart’s influence for Spurs.
Aside from his time at White Hart Lane, Van der Vaart has also starred at Ajax and at the Bernabeu, while with 25 goals in 109 games for the Netherlands, he is one of the most capped players in his country’s history.
Some CV for Reading fans to get excited about!
Rafael van der Vaart at Betis
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