HAMBURG, Germany (AFP) - Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart pleaded with his German club Hamburg on Monday to let him leave for a 'dream' move to Valencia.

Hamburg denied earlier in the day that they have received an offer for their captain but van der Vaart has now said that his mind is set on a move to the Spaniards.

"I am determined to leave and Valencia would be a dream for me," the 24-year-old said in an interview due to be published in the Tuesday edition of Hamburger Abendblatt.

"If I have to stay at Hamburg, that would be very painful for me," he added.

Hamburg later admitted to have received an offer for the former Ajax star but said they are determined to keep hold of the player they signed in 2005.

"In this particular case money is of no importance," said sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer.

Van der Vaart, who has a Spanish mother, had previously claimed that he could not refuse an offer from Real Madrid, also reportedly chasing him, but no firm bid has been forthcoming from them and the Spanish champions recently splashed out 27 million euros on another Dutch central midfielder, Ajax's Wesley Sneijder.

According to Hamburger Morgenpost on Monday, Valencia are prepared to pay 14 million euros for van der Vaart.

Van der Vaart is under contract with Hamburg until 2010, but has refused to start negotiations with club bosses about an extension.

He has scored six goals in 40 appearances for the Netherlands despite frequent injuries, has scored 17 goals in 46 Bundesliga appearances for Hamburg, who finished third in 2005-06 and were seventh last season.