Van der Vaart tempted to swap Spurs for Schalke in £10m deal to help out wife Sylvie

Rafael van der Vaart looks to be heading out of White Hart Lane after Schalke launched a £10million-plus move for Tottenham’s attacking midfielder.

Sportsmail understands there has already been contact between Schalke and Van der Vaart’s representatives and that the 29-year old would welcome the prospect of a fresh start in the Bundesliga, for personal as well as professional reasons.

Closer: Rafael van der Vaart's move to Schalke would help his wife Sylvie

Fly away: Van der Vaart might get more game time elsewhere

While he was frequently the one to make way whenever Tottenham made substitutions last season, he has been promised a pivotal role at Schalke, as the main playmaker at the heart of their midfield.

Away from the pitch, it would solve the problem of his wife Sylvie having to spend more than half of every week away from home. She works for German television station RTL and is based in Cologne, barely 100 km from Schalke’s ground.

Money is not a problem for Schalke, and they will have little difficulty at least matching the Holland midfielder’s Tottenham wages, as well as paying a fee in excess of £10m.

Thanks darling: Sylvie would not have to spend half the week away from home if they moved

Asked about the likelihood of starting next season in Schalke colours, Van der Vaart maintained a diplomatic front, answering: ‘I don’t want to say anything at the moment, as all my focus is on the European Championships.’