Premier giants eye Ajax ace

[Daniel de Ridder]

Manchester United and Liverpool will lead the £15m transfer chase for Ajax's Rafael van der Vaart if he quits Holland.


Van der Vaart is Ajax's hottest property

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is a long-time admirer of the 20-year-old forward, who was outstanding for Ajax as they won the Amsterdam tournament.

Houllier sang the young Dutchman's praises after his performance in the goalless draw against Liverpool on Friday - and his name is still on Anfield's shopping list.

Liverpool were interested in a deal for Van der Vaart in the summer of 2002, but decided against an immediate move.

Houllier will renew his interest if Ajax relax their current hard-line stance that Van der Vaart is not for sale at any price.

But BBC Sport understands Manchester United have now also made their interest known and will make every attempt to pair him with fellow countryman Ruud van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford.

United had spies in Amsterdam on Sunday to watch Ajax defender Hatem Trabelsi - but they were also running the rule over the impressive Van der Vaart.

Man Utd close on Trabelsi

He is expected to become a target for Europe's elite group of clubs, but it is believed the Premiership is his most likely destination.

Van der Vaart is a product of the Ajax youth system, joining the club at the age of 10 and working his way through the ranks.

He is now a regular member of Dick Advocaat's Holland squad and has already won seven caps.

Ajax are insisting Van der Vaart is not for sale - which means Houllier and Ferguson may have to wait until next summer to land the player regarded as one of Europe's brightest talents.

But both clubs are waiting for the first indication of Ajax's willingess to do a deal and will then launch a Premiership battle for Van der Vaart.


Have your say on the 606 Premiership page

[Van Der Vaart 23]

ah well, what's new.. interest in Ajax players will always be there

[doppelganger]

why can't liverpool have a nice formation like that?
anyway vdv is pretty good but 15million? i would rather get sergio concecao for free and a winger.

[Shanks]

I'd pay 15 million for him. 19/20 years of age and that good already.

[Rev]

Originally posted by Shanks@Aug 4 2003, 06:50 PM
I'd pay 15 million for him. 19/20 years of age and that good already.

think thats a pretty ok price for him....but do u really think we can get him???

[Shanks]

Dunnp, as much chance as anyone.

[geesus]

he was class lastnight when they played inter. great for his age and can only get better

[doppelganger]

who cares about van der vart we can get lamouche,conceicao and micoud and still have change to go to the local pub

[Shanks]

Coceciao and Micoud, both old, and at wrong end of careers. VDV, next big thing. Let me think.

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Originally posted by doppelganger@Aug 4 2003, 06:31 PM
who cares about van der vart we can get lamouche,conceicao and micoud

I wished the coaches off all European topteams were thinkin the same mate...

[TedNolan]

He'll probably head off to spain in a while. Once the spanish and italians teams get in the bidding war it will be ugly lol.

[Van Der Vaart 23]

well I thought I read that Trabelsi didn't want to go to Italy..

[kenzo©®]

Originally posted by Van Der Vaart 23@Aug 4 2003, 02:17 PM
ah well, what's new.. interest in Ajax players will always be there

In the knowledge Ajax are a selling club

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Originally posted by kenzo©®+Aug 4 2003, 08:03 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (kenzo©® @ Aug 4 2003, 08:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Van Der Vaart 23@Aug 4 2003, 02:17 PM
ah well, what's new.. interest in Ajax players will always be there

In the knowledge Ajax are a selling club [/b][/quote]
in the knowlegde Ajax always produces worldstar players, which they can hardly do theirselves..

[kenzo©®]

Originally posted by Van Der Vaart 23+Aug 4 2003, 07:29 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Van Der Vaart 23 @ Aug 4 2003, 07:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-kenzo©®+Aug 4 2003, 08:03 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (kenzo©® @ Aug 4 2003, 08:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Van Der Vaart 23@Aug 4 2003, 02:17 PM
ah well, what's new.. interest in Ajax players will always be there

In the knowledge Ajax are a selling club [/b][/quote]
in the knowlegde Ajax always produces worldstar players, which they can hardly do theirselves.. [/b][/quote]
Always?

I think you have your tenses mixed up

[Van Der Vaart 23]

Originally posted by kenzo©®+Aug 4 2003, 09:51 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (kenzo©® @ Aug 4 2003, 09:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Van Der Vaart 23+Aug 4 2003, 07:29 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Van Der Vaart 23 @ Aug 4 2003, 07:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-kenzo©®+Aug 4 2003, 08:03 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (kenzo©® @ Aug 4 2003, 08:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Van Der Vaart 23@Aug 4 2003, 02:17 PM
ah well, what's new.. interest in Ajax players will always be there

In the knowledge Ajax are a selling club [/b][/quote]
in the knowlegde Ajax always produces worldstar players, which they can hardly do theirselves.. [/b][/quote]
Always? [/b][/quote]
well, with the exception of the recent 4/5 years, very often..

[kenzo©®]

Originally posted by Van Der Vaart 23+Aug 4 2003, 09:17 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Van Der Vaart 23 @ Aug 4 2003, 09:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-kenzo©®+Aug 4 2003, 09:51 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (kenzo©® @ Aug 4 2003, 09:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Van Der Vaart 23+Aug 4 2003, 07:29 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Van Der Vaart 23 @ Aug 4 2003, 07:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-kenzo©®+Aug 4 2003, 08:03 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (kenzo©® @ Aug 4 2003, 08:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Van Der Vaart 23@Aug 4 2003, 02:17 PM
ah well, what's new.. interest in Ajax players will always be there

In the knowledge Ajax are a selling club [/b][/quote]
in the knowlegde Ajax always produces worldstar players, which they can hardly do theirselves.. [/b][/quote]
Always? [/b][/quote]
well, with the exception of the recent 4/5 years, very often.. [/b][/quote]
Weeeey Heeey

[The Magician]

If i was Gerard Houllier i would break the bank and sign this kid he is world class