Latest Football Transfer News 31-08-2012

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Van der Vaart set for Hamburg
Last Updated: August 31 2012, 10:23 BST

Tottenham forward Rafael van der Vaart is travelling to Hamburg to have a medical at the German club, the player's agent confirmed this morning.


Rafael van der Vaart: Set for Hamburg return


Van der Vaart has enjoyed two successful seasons at White Hart Lane, but he wants to return to the club where he spent three years prior to leaving for Real Madrid.
"I can confirm that Rafael is on his way to Hamburg now for a medical," the forward's agent Robert Geerlings told Press Association Sport.
Spurs were said to be holding out for £14million for the Dutchman after Hamburg initially bid £8million last week, but there now appears to be a willingness to compromise from both sides.


"No fee has been agreed, but when a player goes for a medical it is clear that the two parties intend to find a solution," Geerlings added.
Van der Vaart signed for Tottenham exactly two years ago to the day in a frenetic 11th-hour move from Real Madrid.
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Since moving to White Hart Lane, Van der Vaart has become a firm fans' favourites thanks to his exploits on the pitch.
Playing just behind a main striker, Van der Vaart scored 15 times in 36 appearances during his first season and then racked up 13 goals the following campaign.


But the Holland international's future was thrown in to doubt when new manager Andre Villas-Boas recruited Gylfi Sigurdsson this summer and the Portuguese has also been busy trying to sign Shakhtar Donetsk's Willian, who plays in a similar role to Van der Vaart.
Van der Vaart hinted that a return to Hamburg could be possible earlier this summer when he declared he still "loves" the German city where his wife Sylvie works as a TV presenter.

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Toni returns to Fiorentina

Experienced striker back with club he starred for several years ago
Last Updated: August 31, 2012 8:52pm

Luca Toni: Much-travelled Italian international was linked with a move to Siena




Luca Toni has made a surprise move back to Fiorentina five years after leaving the club for Bayern Munich.
The 35-year-old striker was a free agent following a spell with Al Nasr of Dubai.
The Italian international has been linked with a move to Serie A rivals Siena before Fiorentina made their move on the final day of the transfer window.


"Fiorentina officially announces the outright purchase of Luca Toni. The striker, 35, returns to Florence after five years...having previously scored 49 goals in 71 appearances," the club announced on their official website.
Toni left for Bayern in 2007 after a prolific two years for the Viola, but after a good start in Germany injuries and a fall-out with manager Louis van Gaal led to the striker's departure in 2010.


Stints with Roma, Genoa and Juventus followed before the move to Dubai at the start of 2012.
Fiorentina had been looking to bolster their attack, but were snubbed by Dimitar Berbatov when they made a move for the Bulgarian striker.

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Santa Cruz returns to Spain

Striker makes season-long move to Malaga
Last Updated: August 31, 2012 7:53pm

Roque Santa Cruz: Joined City from Blackburn Rovers in 2009 for £17million




Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz has joined Spanish side Malaga on a season-long loan.
The Paraguayan was expected to leave the Etihad Stadium before the transfer deadline having fallen well down the pecking order in Roberto Mancini's plans.


Santa Cruz spent the last campaign with Real Betis and will now return to Spain for 2012/13 after passing a medical.
Malaga said in a statement: "Malaga football club and Manchester City have come to an agreement over the loan of Paraguay-born striker Roque Santa Cruz for one season."


The Primera Liga club will be playing in the UEFA Champions League after on Thursday being drawn in Group C with AC Milan, Zenit St Petersburg and Anderlecht.
Santa Cruz joined City from Blackburn Rovers in 2009 for £17million but has scored just four goals for City.

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Genoa return for Borriello

Striker back with former club after joining from Roma
Last Updated: August 31, 2012 8:56pm

Marco Borriello: Striker has rejoined Genoa for an undisclosed fee




Genoa have re-signed striker Marco Borriello from Roma for an undisclosed fee to strengthen their attacking options before the transfer deadline.
The 30-year-old spent six months on loan at Italian champions Juventus last season, scoring twice in 13 appearances, but failed to impress manager Antonio Conte enough to seal a permanent move.


He had previously spent time at Genoa during the 2007-08 season before returning to AC Milan, the club where he began his career and that still part-owns him.
"Il Grifone has rediscovered one of those strikers who has written his recent history to the sound of goals," Genoa announced on their official website.


Borriello's return to Genoa was made possible following the departure of Alberto Gilardino, who has joined Bologna on loan.