Rumour - Rafael van der Vaart

[Geekins]

So anyway what probably happened was van der Vaart called his old mate Stam to see how he was doing at Reading and how he misses playing in England. Then Stam probably mentions something in passing to someone that he had called and "was interested (in how things were going for Stam) in Reading. Someone in the press puts 2 and 2 together and comes up with 22...

Thanks for confirming his Squad number is going to be 22.

[Libertine]

Glad I could be of assistance...

[Victor Meldrew]

At 33 he won't surely get a big club so maybe he will turn up looking a bit overweight in the hoops which are never that flattering to anybody carrying that bit extra.
In a midfield role with others doing the running could work.
Not a real oldie like Keown and Les Ferdinand.
How old was Steve Archibald who also had a top pedigree when he came to us?
Generally not in favour of old players but would be interesting to have him for a season.

[CountryRoyal]

We've been crying out for a player like him for ages. Finally a replacement for Gylfi.

I actually think this will happen...

[Ian Royal]

oxf*rd me backwards. This would be mental and brilliant. Agree with the skepticism.

[lightning strikes]

Been shit for Betis, would be terrible in the championship with no time and not being able to run.

[sandman]

Brother Van Der Vaart would be a delightful addition to the cause of the Reading Football Collective. Provided of course, that he is not Broken due to his years on the Battlefield.

[AthleticoSpizz]

the marquee signing that we are gagging for?

What's the catch?

[royalp-we]

Been shit for Betis, would be terrible in the championship with no time and not being able to run.

But you could say the same of Beerens at Berlin. One off season in15/16 seeing minimal playing time, does not mean a shit player.

The guy has scored over 100 goals at the highest level. A good example is Ibrahimovic, who is older and less mobile. The Man Utd fans are still creaming themselves.

The championship will not be a step up.

There's my two pennies worth on that (even though he won't be joining anyway )

[Sutekh]

Never heard of him, is he good then?

Toss up between him and Reach.

[seahawk10]

What's Dave-Royal's take on this? I will believe it once his insider connection gives us confirmation.

[Zammo]

He's 33. Mate of Stam's. One year contract. Like's Thai based energy drinks. This could happen.

[Scutterbucketz]

This is happening.

MegaLOLs. Let's hope he's better than our last fat Dutchman.

[Crux]

This is happening.

MegaLOLs. Let's hope he's better than our last fat Dutchman.

And you know how?

[TBM]

This is happening.

MegaLOLs. Let's hope he's better than our last fat Dutchman.

Peter Van Der Kwaak?

[Scutterbucketz]

This is happening.

MegaLOLs. Let's hope he's better than our last fat Dutchman.

Peter Van Der Kwaak?

Royston, boi

[CountryRoyal]

The guy has scored over 100 goals at the highest level. A good example is Ibrahimovic, who is older and less mobile. The Man Utd fans are still creaming themselves.

Yeahhhhh but.. Ibra scored 50 goals last season for one of the best clubs in the world.

VDV made 9 appearances for a mediocre Spanish side and cried about the time he left Tottenham.

I'd still spunk all over my face if we signed him though.

[Sutekh]

Well if he is Stam's bestest mate in the whole wide world then there might be an outside chance....

...but even then it will all come down to how much of a wage cut he is willing to accept (wonder what the difference is between a La Liga also ran and the Championship) and whether there are any bigger clubs willing to give him regular football.

Keep your eyes on the hotel in the next few days... or perhaps he may turn up as the surprise model for the home shirt at tomorrow's open day

[donface]

If he's even half the player Ray Houghton was when he came then it's a bargain.

[maffff]

So many people on twitter comparing him to Drenthe.

If anything it's more a Pogrebnyak style signing, big gamble, hopefully mitigated by not ploughing in unrealistic costs. If it we actually sign him and it pays off .