Dutchman staying at Madrid

Reported Liverpool target Rafael van der Vaart has reiterated his desire to stay at Real Madrid and fight for a first team place.

The Dutch playmaker has found opportunities in Manuel Pellegrini's team scarce this season and has persistently been linked with a move to England.

Arsenal and Aston Villa were both mooted as serious contenders for his signature over the summer, while Liverpool emerged as the club most likely to land his services in January.

Ahead of this summer's World Cup in South Africa a number of out-of-favour players across the globe have expressed a desire to pursue regular football elsewhere, but Van der Vaart has no such intent.

On the contrary, he has vowed to buckle down in an attempt to convince Pellegrini he is worth a place in his starting XI.

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He told Radio Marca: "I have the skill and quality to play for Real Madrid.

"Pellegrini told me in pre-season training that I was a very good player, but he did not have much room for me because they had Kaka, Raul, many players.

"I said OK, but I will not leave Madrid, I want to fight, so let's see.

"The league is very important but also the Champions League. The final is in Madrid. It is a dream for everyone to play the final here, but we also want to win the league.

"I am very happy in this team."

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