Real Betis president Juan Carlos Ollero has confirmed that the club are close to completing the signing of Hamburger SV playmaker Rafael van der Vaart.
The Dutchman will officially become a free agent next month and he has often been linked with a switch to an MLS side, but reports have suggested that he will sign a three-year deal with Betis.
"The Germans are very serious people and if they have said it it's because they are well-informed," Ollero told Radio Marca Sevilla.
"The negotiation with Van der Vaart is very advanced. He is a footballer with a proven track record, with an important role in his clubs. With character, he's competitive."
The former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder made 24 appearances in all competitions for Hamburg last season.
