Sporting president Robb Heineman has not been shy about the club's interest in Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart.  The 32-year-old midfielder is in the final stretch of his contract with HSV.  Bild, a German newspaper, announced today that Sporting has offered $4.8 million a season for his services. 

Sporting is coming off a down season and the worst since their rebrand in 2011. 2015 will be Sporting's first season in the Western Conference since they were the Wizards in 2004. Van der Vaart could be a key addition in maintaining the success of the club in a stacked Western Conference table.  SKC will be looking to win MLS Cup, the Supporter's Shield, and the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup again this season and a signing of this magnitude will definitely help.

If he signs, RVDV will be the biggest name to ever play for the Kansas City club.  Getting his start with Ajax before stints at HSV, Real Madrid, Tottenham, and back to HSV, he is definitely experienced at the highest level. 

A signing of this magnitude leads to several questions.  The midfield in Kansas City is stacked with talent with Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber leading the way.  Wingers that can split between forward and midfield  like Krisztian Nemeth and Bernardo Anor are all going to get chances to prove themselves under Peter Vermes in 2015.  The inclusion of van der Vaart puts some serious pressure on everyone to make the starting lineup, but could also put a lot of tension on the squad.  Who will make way in the starting IX for RVDV if he signs and can Feilhaber play the wing if needed?

Another key question is if Rafael van der Vaart's fitness meets the "Sporting Fit" mantra the club has.  Jorge Claros was cut just over week before the 2015 season for failing to meet fitness expectations.  Van der Vaart's fitness has been called into question recently as he is getting older and picking up a few more knocks.  A lack of on field results or poor fitness is the fastest way to sit the bench under Vermes' management.  Former SKC DP Cladio Bieler learned the hard way that the tag and the paycheck don't instantly translate into opportunities on the field. 

Overall, signing van der Vaart will be the marquee move by Sporting leading up to the 2015 season, but it is not a move without risk. The price tag and the fitness concerns could make RVDV the biggest bust in Designated Player history, but Rafael could be the final piece of the puzzle that leads to the 2015 MLS Cup.