Van der Vaart wants ´dream´ Real move

Dutch international midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, said Sunday a transfer to the Spanish giants would be a dream come true.

“For me to play at Real Madrid is a dream, and if this agreement is eventually sealed I will be a happy man,” the midfielder told Sports daily As.

The 25-year-old said that Real's Dutch star Wesley Sneijder had told him “it was a very good club who are waiting for me”.

On Friday Van der Vaart, under contract with German side Hamburg until 2010, was the subject of a nine million euros (14 million dollars) swoop by Real.

That was an improved offer after an earlier bid was batted back by Hamburg boss Dietmar Beiersdorfer, who wants to keep the playmaker as the club challenge for a Champions League berth.

“For the moment I'm still a Hamburg player, but I hope things can be settled soon and that the two clubs can find an agreement,” Van der Vaart said.

Van der Vaart, who has won over 50 caps for his country and scored 12 goals, joined Hamburg in 2005.