Real replace Dutch dynamo

Real Madrid have signed Hamburg's Rafael van der Vaart after Wesley Sneijder was ruled out for at least three months.

The deal is set to be confirmed on Tuesday after Real reached an agreement on a £9million fee for the left-sided SV Hamburg star following talks in London on Sunday night.

Van der Vaart's Dutch colleague and ex-Ajax team-mate Sneijder though sustained a serious knee injury in a challenge with Arsenal's Abou Diaby on Sunday.

The midfielder is set to undergo MRI scans on Monday to ascertain the extent of the damage, but reports suggest he faces a lengthy spell out of action.

Real begin the defence of their La Liga title later this month and Spanish football fans who feel they will again be too strong can take advantage of a free £25 bet.

Real Madrid chairman Ramon Calderon has insisted the club's sole focus is on Sneijder and not the transfer talk surrounding van der Vaart or long-term target Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We are very upset about Sneijder's injury," Calderon said. "It's serious and it's the worst news we could have.

"He has, at the very least, torn his interior ligament. He is very bad, very upset. He is crying because it is a very serious problem and very painful.

"He is a very important footballer for us but that's sport. We feel bad for him. He had bad luck."