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Schalke snap up Sarpei

Image: Sarpei: On the move

Schalke have wrapped up a deal for Hans Sarpei and remain keen on Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart.

Magath also keen on Van der Vaart

Schalke have wrapped up a deal for Hans Sarpei and remain keen on Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart. The Bundesliga outfit have signed Ghanaian defender Sarpei from Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year contract. He put in a number of commanding displays at this summer's World Cup and will bring vital experience to Schalke's backline following the departure of Rafinha to Genoa. "After Rafinha left we were looking for a player who can play both left and right in the defence," said coach Felix Magath. Magath has also confirmed that he would love to bring former Hamburg playmaker Van der Vaart back to Germany. Having lured Raul away from Real in July, he hopes the Dutchman can be persuaded to follow his former team-mate to Schalke.

Respect

"Raul has a lot of respect for him and he would fit in here nicely," added Magath. "But as it stands at the moment we cannot and will not meet all the demands." Schalke's hopes of bringing in Van der Vaart could also be scuppered by the player's apparent reluctance to discuss such a deal. "Schalke is a super club," he told Bild. "I have had excellent feedback about the club from Raul. "But I really want to impose myself at Real Madrid."

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