Bundesliga club Hamburg have revealed they will do everything possible to re-sign Rafael van der Vaart from Tottenham before the transfer window closes on Friday night.
The Netherlands playmaker has been strongly linked with a return to his former club but Hamburg chairman Carl-Edgar Jarchow has admitted time is running out to convince Spurs to sell.
“There is not a lot of time - it is really up to Tottenham Hotspur," he said.
"If we have a chance to sign him, we will do everything we can to make that happen."
Van der Vaart is said to be valued at around £14million by Daniel Levy, almost more than double the Tottenham chairman paid Real Madrid for the 29-year-old two years ago.
The Holland star joined Real from Hamburg, where he became a cult hero during his three-year spell at the club and his wife, Sylvie, still works in Germany.
The opportunity to return to Germany could present itself if Tottenham complete the signing of some of their own targets during what looks set to be another frantic final 48 hours of a summer transfer window at White Hart Lane.
Moussa Dembele is on the brink of sealing a move from Fulham after he passed a medical at Spurs.
New manager Andre Villas-Boas has also renewed the interest he showed while Chelsea manager in Shakhtar Donetsk forward Willian.
Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin has claimed he rejected a bid of just under £12million for the Brazilian and that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy had also made an inquiry about two other players.
"Mr Levy, the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur FC, personally flew to Donetsk to negotiate over Willian," said Palkin. “But his latest offer was 15 million euros which we, of course, did not accept.
"Levy, by the way, hinted that besides Willian, Villas-Boas was interested in Douglas Costa and Fernandinho, but he mentioned that just casually, without any specifics."
Spurs have been heavily linked for some time with France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and there are reports they could be on the brink of agreeing a deal with Lyon in the region of £13million.
Spurs have also been linked with Internacional striker Leandro Damiao and Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila, but the chances of them moving to White Hart Lane appear to have receded.
Tottenham are a best-priced 10/3 with
Bet365 to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.
