He said this in an interview with Bild magazine:

"I would like to have everything cleared up early, but we cannot agree in July that I will be staying - that would be unrealistic," he told Sport Bild magazine.

"What happens when Chelsea or another top club comes along on August 21 and offers £24million?

"I would want to move, even at the very last minute of the transfer window."

"Hamburg made me a great offer last year and I turned it down because my aim is to move to a big club where I can improve and win trophies," added van der Vaart.

"My opinion will not change."

I reckon it would be a great signing for Chelsea, he has always been one of my favourite players and id love to be able to see him in the premiership next season.

They've got too many midfielders though.

Did that ever stop them?

mmmmm interesting i would love a player just like him at Arsenal he could play where hleb has been playing this season and we can have hleb back on the right or left i must say hleb is good there but van der vaart can get more goal than him but stil wenger wont pay that sort of money

I would welcome him to Chelsea with open arms. Great player, will challenge Lampard for an attacking midfield position but im sure they could work together and become a rather strong midfield pairing, well thats what i'd like.

i dont think this is true...i think he is moving to spain,
he is a great great (hot) player. cant believe he is still in germany.
i know you guys get annoyed by me now but need to say this...

again ex ajax player!!

-x-

Supposedly a few of them will be leaving in the summer though.

Players like

Wright Phillips
Malouda
Ballack
Lampard
Makelele

have all been linked with a move away and from what im hearing wont be happy to play under Grant and would prefer a move away if he remains incharge.

With half of these players sure to leave Chelsea, Grant (I hope he doesn't stay) will have to bolster his midfield, and what better choice than Van Der Vaart

I'd love to see Van Der Vaart in the EPL...hmm....I wonder if Lampard's out in the summer(speculation) could Van Der Vaart be his replacement?

Van der Vaart has played a terrible second half of the season at Hamburg.

Personally, I don't like him because he constantly talks about switching to other teams. He even let a magazine take photos of him, wearing a Valencia jersey. That's just put of place. Tells you much about his character.

Nevertheless he's got great potential. Wouldn't really miss him though.

Oh yeah, i can't believe Valencia didn't get him. What happened last summer in the end?

the thing was hamburg didnt want to let him go.

he has a contract until 2010 so they don't have to let him go. especially not when he's such an important player for their team.

Not always enough though is it

true true. but im sure he will go next year.
dont you think?

I certainly do. He doesn't want to stay there, and you can't blame him. He's one of the most talented layers in the world, but isn't even able to showcase it at the highest level with them.

no he won't go next year.
he will go after this season, because he could leave hamburg next year for only 1,5 million €.
would be pretty stupid to keep him if they could get 20 million now.

and i think he's going to spain.

That's what i meant.

He'll be gone before next season.

yea thats what i mean....i wont stay ther other year.

He's class like but with Ballack, Lamps, Essien all expecting to play every game it seems stupid that we are constantly linked with world class midfielders all the time

I think if van der Vaart left Hamburg it would coincide with Lampard doing the same with regards for Chelsea; assuming the Dutch midfielder were coming to Chelsea of course.

You couldn't manage Ballack, Lampard and van der Vaart. (Although i wouldn't put it past you trying...)

i think he is going to valencia.

Maybe, if he wants to play in the 2nd league next season.
No I don't think he's going to Valencia. He wants to play Champions League and have a chance on winning it, that's why he wants to leave Hamburg. They are probably playing in the UEFA Cup next season.
He's only going to change to a top club, I'd say preferably in Spain.

I wouldn't be so sure with their financial problems... I think they'll be doing more selling than buying to be honest.

what do you mean?