Rafael Van Der Vaart, Real Madrid (Getty Images)

Despite a positive season with Real Madrid under Manuel Pellegrini, Rafael van der Vaart could yet leave La Liga for the Premier League if the latest reports are to be believed.

Van der Vaart was strongly linked with an exit last summer but eventually remained with los Blancos, and a string of strong performances have raised his market value again.

AS now believes that Manchester United are willing to stump up €23 million (£20m) for the Dutchman, who is highly rated by manager Sir Alex Ferguson. It is not the first time that the former Hamburg midfielder has been linked with the Premier League, as Arsenal, Liverpool,Chelsea and Manchester City have all been credited with an interest in the past.

There is little chance of the figure being greatly reduced as van der Vaart is under contract at the Bernabeu until 2013 and it is believed that he is still eager to remain at the club.

However, with no trophies to show for the €250m (£217m) spending spree last summer, Florentino Perez is reportedly ready to splash the cash in the market again this year, starting with Inter coach Jose Mourinho.

A new coach and more expensive signings are therefore likely to put van der Vaart's place in los Merengues' squad in jeopardy.