UPDATE - Wesley Sneijder was able to do some running fitness today boosting his chances to return to the field earlier than expected for Real Madrid.  The Dutchman was able to knock the ball around with his left foot, but not his right.

It’s been 38 days since the 24 year old Sneijder was injured under a challenge by Arsenal’s Abou Diaby during a pre-season Friendly.

Real Madrid’s push for Rafael van der Vaart might have just gotten a bit more important as their influential Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder went down just past the hour mark at Emirates Stadium. Adebayor scored the games only goal as Arsenal won 1-nil.

After a tough tackle by Arsenal’s Abou Diaby during the Emirates Cup pre-season friendlies tournament, Sneijder was in immediate pain and the worst, torn knee ligaments is feared.

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Well that didn’t take long for Rafael van der Vaart to make his mark in the number 18 jersey on his debut. A free kick goal and an assist off a free kick on Pepe’s goal to lead Real Madrid over Colombian side Independiente Santa Fe.

Every Real Salt Lake fan has their heads in their hands knowing this was the game that was to be played in Salt Lake at the weekend.

But don’t fret, my money’s on the 2009 All-Star game.

Interview with Bernd Schuster y Raul after the Jump… 

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And they also acquire his wife WAG Sylvie in the same deal.   Bet we won’t hear her complaining about leaving Germany for Madrid.

DOUBLE UPDATE - Done deal as Real Madrid are set to announce van der Vaart Tuesday morning.

UPDATE - If Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon has his way, van der Vaart will be presented to the Galactico faithful by next week.

It’s believed that Madrid upped it’s original offer to the 10 Million Euro mark and with the teams set to meet in the Emirates Pre-Season Tournament this weekend, Bernd Schuster might very well get his man.

When a player either is within the last six months of his contract OR has a clause in his contract that stipulates that he can move to any club in the world he so chooses for only 1 Million Euro in 12 months, as the Chairman when do you pull the trigger and take as much as you can get?

Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart scored 21 goals in 44 matches last season while leading Hamburg SV to 4th place in the 2007/08 Bundesliga and reaching the round of 16 in the UEFA Cup competition as the teams Captain.

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