Hamburg chief Frank Arnesen insists their move for Tottenham playmaker Rafael van der Vaart is not dead.

Arnesen is now leading the German club's bid to ­ re-sign their former captain.

He said: "We could do a last-minute deal for Van der Vaart.

"Tottenham's ­chairman Daniel Levy could get a kick from doing things this way. I'm ruling nothing out."

Van der Vaart refused to deny the Hamburg link.

He said: "I can't and won't say anything at this stage."