Source: Team_Talk
Van der Vaart deal delay probed
Tottenham are hopeful of being given the all clear over the signing of Rafael van der Vaart after suffering technical problems on Tuesday.[LNB] The Premier League are understood to be investigating what Spurs claim were difficulties involving computer servers used in the £8million transaction between themselves and Real, which hindered their attempts to submit the relevant paperwork on time.[LNB]It is not the first time the Premier League have assessed whether a transfer has been completed before the deadline.[LNB]In February 2009, they took a day to sanction Andrei Arshavin's move to Arsenal.[LNB]A year earlier, Manchester City were unable to formally announce the signing of Benjani Mwaruwari's from Portsmouth for almost a week due to a wrangle over whether the paperwork had been submitted before the deadline.[LNB]On Tuesday night, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp revealed he was alerted to the availability of Holland star Van de Vaart just two hours before the window closed at 6pm.[LNB]Redknapp claimed the 27-year-old had been set to join Bayern Munich for £18million on Monday but the move broke down.[LNB]He said on Sky Sports News on Tuesday: "We are waiting to see if it has all gone through and we are hoping it has.[LNB]"It's something to do with clearance.[LNB]"I think he was going to Bayern Munich yesterday for £18million and suddenly he became much cheaper.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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 has struggled to establish himself at Real since signing from Hamburg two years ago.[LNB]Redknapp also revealed he had made an approach for Liverpool winger Ryan Babel, saying: "He was a player we made an enquiry about but it never came close."[LNB]Should the Van der Vaart move gain Premier League approval, the midfielder would become Redknapp's second deadline-day signing.[LNB]Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa finally completed his season-long loan move Spartak Moscow on Tuesday afternoon, with the north Londoners thought to have an option to make the deal permanent.
