Van der Vaart considering Chelsea and Liverpool

(GSM) – Real Madrid’s unsettled midfielder Rafael van der Vaart would be interested in a move to the Premier League with Chelsea and Liverpool sounding their interest.

The 27-year-old Netherlands star has fell down the pecking order with the arrivals of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso last season.

With star-studded Real unable to offer van der Vaart first-team football, the club will let the midfielder open talks with other clubs.

And van der Vaart could not hide his wish to sign for either Liverpool or Chelsea as he spoke with the Daily Star, dismissing interest from any Spanish clubs.

“I have heard of the interest from Liverpool and Chelsea – and that is very flattering,” he said. “If either of them were willing to offer me first-team football, to be honest 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.”

The former Ajax and Hamburger SV midfielder said he was happy at Madrid, but insisted that first-team football remained his priority and that, if it was not forthcoming, he would leave La Liga.

“Real Madrid is the most prestigious club in the world and I am happy here and also in Spain, but I am at the age where I have to be playing first-team football,” he explained.

“The boss knows how much he plans to use me, and if he is willing to listen to offers for me.

“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.”