Arsenal eye £6m Rafael van der Vaart
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Arsene Wenger saw his Arsenal side produce a stunning riposte to doubters with a 6-1 win at Everton and then prepared to spend a portion of the £38million raised in the transfer market after Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart revealed he hopes to move to the Premier League.
Goals from Denilson, debutant Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas (2) and Eduardo saw Wenger's side romp to victory on the first day of the season as title rivals Chelsea recorded a last-gasp 2-1 win over Hull and Manchester City won 2-0 at Blackburn.
Despite Arsenal's dazzling start, Wenger is considering strengthening the squad with 26-year-old midfielder Van der Vaart, who is available for just £6m after becoming involved in a bitter dispute with Real.
Wenger has allowed Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to leave for £38m and has been criticised for spending only £8m on centre-half Vermaelen.
Van der Vaart would be a welcome addition, with Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri injured, and yesterday the Dutchman said: 'I really want to come to England.
'There are a number of clubs with offers, where I can go in Germany, Spain and Italy. I have also had a request from Martin Jol to go back to Ajax. But none of those options appeal to me. I want to go to the Premier League and I know where I want to play.'
