Hamburg's Van der Vaart targets top European club

Van der Vaart has rejected a two-year extension to his current contract which runs until 2010, and the signs are now that the club captain will leave at the end of the season.

 "I want to get to know another European country," the midfielder said.

 SV Hamburg rejected a 22-million-euro (32 million dollars) bid from Valencia at the start of the season. The 24-year-old player, however, has a clause in his contract allowing to leave in 2009 for 1.5 million euros.

 It is thought the club will now allow him to go at the end of the season if a decent offer is made.

 "Rafael will probable move in the summer," club chairman Bernd Hoffmann said.

 Van der Vaart said: "I hope it will be a good season and that we win something.

 I still have a contract until 2010. I could leave in the summer but it could be that I'm still playing here next season," he said.

 Recent reports have linked the player with Italian side Juventus, while there has also been reported interest from clubs in England and Spain.

 Hamburg have said they will reinvest any money from a transfer on a new player signing. However no decision will be taken until a successor is appointed for coach Hub Stevens who is leaving at the end of the season.

DPA