Madrid's van der Vaart bid fails

Hamburg have rejected a £4 million (Dh29.6m) offer from Real Madrid for Rafael van der Vaart, according to reports in Germany.

The Holland international has been constantly linked to Madrid throughout the summer, but Hamburg sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer said that the Spanish champions' offer "does not enter into discussion", dismissing it as derisory.

However, Real are hoping to get the 25-year-old for a reduced price as he has a clause in his contract – which expires in 2010 – allowing him to move for just £700,000 next summer. Reports in Spain have suggested Van der Vaart has already agreed terms with Real, although the player told the press "that's not true".

A move closer to completion is Sully Muntari's transfer to Inter Milan, with the midfielder admitting the chance to play at the San Siro was too good to turn down.

Portsmouth stand to make a significant profit on the Ghanaian, who joined from Udinese for £7m last summer and seems set to join the Serie A champions for £12.7m. Muntari spoke of his admiration for Pompey boss Harry Redknapp and revealed he leaves Fratton Park with a heavy heart.

"There are teams when they come to you, you need to listen to them," Muntari said. "Harry has developed my game, he has been a father figure to me. I love him, and also the Portsmouth fans, but when Inter call you need to listen.

"I already missed a chance to play for a super team [Manchester United] this time I need to seize it," he added. It could enable Redknapp to raise a £10m offer to Chelsea for long-term target Shaun Wright-Phillips – knowing he has adequate cover for Muntari in midfield with Lassana Diarra, Pedro Mendes, Papa Bouba Diop and Sean Davis.

Meanwhile, Younes Kaboul, who has been linked to Portsmouth, is thought to be mulling over an Aston Villa attempt to snatch the Tottenham defender from under the noses of Sunderland.

The Frenchman had agreed on Wearside, but Martin O'Neill has moved to persuade him to join him at Villa Park.