Source: Daily_Mail
Tottenham beat transfer deadline to clinch £8m Rafael van der Vaart signing from Real Madrid
Tottenham have confirmed the £8million signing of Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid after the Premier League gave them the green light to add the Holland midfielder to their squad. [LNB]Spurs had been sweating on clearance to bring the 27-year-old to White Hart Lane after technical difficulties hampered their efforts to submit the relevant paperwork for the move before yesterday's 6pm transfer deadline. [LNB]But after investigating the club's claims that there were difficulties involving computer servers used in the transaction between themselves and Real, the Premier League ratified the signing.[LNB] Flying Dutchman: Rafael Van Der Vaart is set for a move to Spurs[LNB]Late deals were also ratified to allow Lars Jacobsen to move from Blackburn to West Ham on free transfer, and for Blackpool to sign David Carney from Twente.[LNB]A dazed Van der Vaart said: 'I can hardly believe it myself. The interest from Tottenham came very quick and I did not have much time to think.[LNB]Rumour mill: Holland international Van der Vaart was said to be on the verge of a big-money switch to Bayern Munich before his Spurs move[LNB]'But I want to play football again and if possible every week, with a beautiful club. I'm totally happy.[LNB]'I am excited about playing in England. Whether it suits my style remains to be seen, but I think a good footballer can adapt and I am very proud of this transfer.'[LNB]Manager Harry Redknapp last night revealed he was alerted to Van der Vaart's availability just two hours before the window closed.[LNB]Redknapp also claimed the player had been set to join Bayern Munich for £18million on Monday until the move broke down.[LNB]However, that was categorically denied this afternoon by Real, with sports director Miguel Pardeza saying: 'It is absolutely false that Real Madrid received a 21million euro offer from Bayern Munich for Van der Vaart.[LNB]'In fact, the German team never showed an interest to sign the player, so the allegations made in England have greatly surprised us.'[LNB]Van der Vaart's transfer is not the first to be assessed by the Premier League over whether a deal has been completed before the deadline.[LNB]In February 2009, they took a day to sanction Andrey Arshavin's move to Arsenal. A year earlier, Manchester City were unable to formally announce the signing of Benjani from Portsmouth for almost a week due to a wrangle over whether the paperwork had been submitted before the deadline.[LNB]But a decision on Van der Vaart needed to be made by 5pm today, as that was the cut-off point for clubs to submit their senior squads to the Premier League.[LNB]New boys: Van der Vaartjoins other deadline day signing Stipe Pletikosa at Spurs[LNB]Speaking yesterday, Redknapp said of Van der Vaart's impending arrival: 'They let me know around 4pm that he was available for £8million and, for that money, he is a top player who will definitely improve us. The fee has come crashing down because the deadline is so close.[LNB]'He's a great passer of the ball, he's a top footballer, he will join in here and be a big plus for us.'[LNB]Van der Vaart helped Holland reach this summer's World Cup final but struggled to establish himself at Real after joining them two years ago.[LNB]The midfielder came through the ranks at Ajax and won two league titles before moving to Hamburg in 2005.[LNB]He was the Bundesliga side's leading scorer in his first season and went on to captain them before joining Real. He has won 83 caps for Holland, scoring 16 goals and representing his country at two European Championships and two World Cups.[LNB]The midfielder technically becomes Redknapp's second deadline-day signing. Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa finally completed his season-long loan switch from Spartak Moscow yesterday afternoon, with the north Londoners understood to have an option to make the deal permanent for £1.6m. [LNB] Computer says no! Tottenham blame late Rafael van der Vaart move on technical fault Tottenham still hoping to clinch shock deadline day move for Real Madrid star Van der VaartThe good, the bad and the ugly! Club-by-club verdict to every Premier League club's ins and outs in the transfer windowBetter late than never! Clubs go to the wire in bid to land deadline bargains
