- Transfer News
Spurs' Holtby targeted by Hamburg
Lewis Holtby could secure a move to Hamburg before the transfer window closes after the German club admitted their interested in the Tottenham midfielder.
Holtby, 23, could return to Germany 18 months after he left Schalke for the Premier League. In January 2013, he completed a dream switch to England, the birthplace of his father, where he joined Tottenham.
He has failed to hold down a first-team place at White Hart Lane, however, and spent the end of last season on loan at Fulham.
According to reports in Germany, Hamburg first entered talks with Holtby a few weeks ago, and on Tuesday, the club's CEO Dietmar Beiersdorfer told a fan meeting: "I would lie if I said that we have nothing to do with Holtby.
"We need to allow for all possibilities. Holtby is a good, young and German player, who does not win a lot of minutes at Tottenham."
There had been speculation in Hamburg that Holtby could replace ageing captain Rafael van der Vaart, who was linked with a switch to Trabzonspor in Turkish media on Tuesday. But Beiersdorfer ruled out selling the former Spurs midfielder, who has entered the final year of his Hamburg contract, during the summer transfer window.
"I bank on Rafael. He's in good shape," Beiersdorfer said. "I am delighted that he's one of ours. Rafa is an outstanding player. He enters the new season full of motivation. He is proud to be the captain."