Mijatovic spent all of yesterday thrashing out terms with Hamburg over a £7 million fee for the Dutchman. The Germans continue to demand nearer to £10 million.

Van der Vaart has already agreed personal terms with Real and Mijatovic is hopeful of finalising a fee today.

In his rant yesterday, Real coach Bernd Schuster said: "Van der Vaart is a choice of many we have. It appears that an attempt has been made over this issue lately, but it is one thing to talk about it and another to close this deal."