Real Madrid’s new coach Manuel Peligrini has reportedly deemed Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart (pictured) surplus to requirement, prompting German Bundesliga side Hamburg and Dutch powerhouse Ajax, two teams he has played for in the past, to voice interest in signing the midfielder.

With an overall FTBL rating of 74.24 points at the moment, van der Vaart is only third among midfielders at Real, behind countryman Wesley Sneijder (85.17 points) and Brazilian superstar Kaká (159.65 points). With the Merengues still actively pursuing Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso (143.01 points), it is clear van der Vaart will find it difficult to secure playtime if he were to stay.

Returning to Ajax will guarantee plenty of playtime, on teh other hand, as the Dutch international will be the indisputable leader in the midfield ahead of Jan Vertonghen (61.73 points). At Hamburg van der Vaart will be sharing leadership with Guy Demel of Cote d’Ivoire (74.82 points) and former Brazil international Ze Roberto (74.52 points).