Valencia have made an offer for Hamburg midfielder Rafael van der
Vaart.
The Dutchman, who was linked with a move to Real Madrid earlier
this summer, is contracted to Hamburg until 2010.
However, Valencia are keen to bring van der Vaart to the Mestalla
and have bid 14 million euros (£9.5million) for the player.
Van der Vaart is eager for the move to go ahead and admits it would
be disappointing if he had to stay in Germany.
"I absolutely want to leave, Valencia is my dream," the midfielder
said in the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper.
"If I had to stay in Hamburg it would be painful."
Hamburg have confirmed there was an offer but insist van der Vaart
will not be allowed to leave.
"In this particular case money is of no importance," said sporting
director Dietmar Beiersdorfer.