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ronaldinhoshow
Oct 17 2005, 06:50 PM
AZ Alkmaar are being linked with a move for Angola forward Nando Rafael.
Rafael is on the books of Hertha Berlin, but his contract is due to expire in the summer and is reportedly keen on a return to the Netherlands.
AZ are aware of the situation and could attempt to lure the 21-year-old to Alkmaar next summer.
Rafael had a spell at Ajax earlier in his career and was held in the highest regard at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Ajax had high hopes for the forward, but their plans were scuppered as Rafael was denied a work permit and the Dutch authorities ordered him to leave the country.
Hertha offered him a lifeline and he has flourished in the Bundesliga, but is reportedly looking to return to the Netherlands having secured a German passport.
AZ are said to be leading the chase, while it remains to be seen if Ajax attempt to sign a player they rated so highly prior to his departure in 2002. Louis van Gaal's AZ are likely to be without Demy de Zeeuw for their Uefa Cup clash with Dnipro, after the defender picked up a groin injury in the weekend loss to PSV Eindhoven
Mertesacker
Oct 17 2005, 07:47 PM
It sickens me to see him stating everywhere how much he loves Holland and they he dreamt of playing for the Dutch NT and then seeing him in the german kit.

It ain't right.
Schwalker
Oct 17 2005, 09:31 PM
He is hardly a "star" in the buli..?
Mertesacker
Oct 17 2005, 10:01 PM
Ne, he isn't. A Bundesliga "star" certainly wouldn't go to play in hte Dutch league unless it's PSV.
Gerry_BMG
Oct 17 2005, 10:16 PM
Calm down Merte. It is just a report that he wants to play in holland. I doubt he really wants to.
Mertesacker
Oct 17 2005, 10:21 PM
I read too many interviews and chat-transcripts with him to not believe it.
DvA
Oct 17 2005, 10:27 PM
hod did he get the german nationality? didn't he move to germany not many years ago?
Van Der Vaart 23
Oct 17 2005, 11:12 PM
Can you blame him for wanting to play in Holland? He grew here, his friends are here, I think his girlfriend is Dutch too.

Im not sure how he developed, he was a huge talent though, wouldnt mind seeing him back at Ajax, given our striker problems.
Coldplay
Oct 17 2005, 11:37 PM
Rafael is nothing specialin my opinion. He can go wherever he likes, what a shame he counts himself as a German
Faram|R
Oct 18 2005, 06:33 AM
Rafael is nothing specialin my opinion. He can go wherever he likes, what a shame he counts himself as a German
Eilts should not allow him to play for German U-21.. What a shame... I'm not racist but what the point to give chance to a player who wants to play for certain country(Germany) just because he dont have that chance in another country(Holland)?