Wesley Sneijder: Latest News on the Inter Milan Star

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Wesley Sneijder has precipitously fallen from grace at Inter Milan. Once one of the best midfielders in the world, the Nerrazzuri now refuse to play him due to a contract dispute.

In the prime of his career at the age of 28, Sneijder needs to play regularly. The captain of the Dutch national team is wasting away at a club that he clearly no longer has a place at.

Other clubs are aware of this prime opportunity. It's not often that such a world-class player is offered as the low-hanging fruit that Sneijder is on the open market.

As this extraordinary player nears the end of his time in Milan, let's look at the most up-to-date news on Sneijder's situation and identify potential landing spots.

Liverpool About to Swoop in Late?

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Update: January 13, 2:30 pm ET

Despite the fact that Inter Milan and Galatasaray have reportedly agreed on an £8.2 million fee for Wesley Sneijder, The Daily Mirror is reporting that Liverpool could hijack the deal and steal Sneijder away from the Turkish side.

It seems unlikely that Liverpool would be willing to match anything close to the £160,000 per week that the Dutchman currently earns at Inter, but perhaps he would be willing to take a pay cut to play in the Premier League.

According to the report he would much rather play in England than Turkey, which doesn't seem so farfetched.

A midfield partnership of Steven Gerrard and Sneijder is a sumptuous prospect to ruminate on. Bleacher Report's own Sam Tighe writes about the potential implications of Sneijder moving to Merseyside here.

End of update.

Inter Milan and Galatasaray Officially Agree on a Fee

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Update: January 12, 12:10 pm

It now appears that Sneijder's transfer is entirely in his hands.

According to ESPN FC, Galatasaray released a statement to announce that:

The transfer of Wesley Sneijder has been agreed between Inter and the club and negotiations are ongoing with the player.

I cannot find this on the club's official website, but several news sources are quoting this exact statement. If true, it would indicate that we are mere days or hours away from seeing Sneijder playing in Turkey.

End of update.

Sneijder Given 24 Hours to Decide on Galatasaray Move

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Update: January 10, 5:20 pm

Sneijder's move to Galatasaray appears to be growing more imminent by the hour. In the final hours before the transfer becomes official, it's now solely up to the player to decide his future.

The Guardian is reporting that the Inter Milan has accepted a €10 million bid (paltry for a player of Sneijder's quality, in my opinion) from Galatasaray, and Sneijder has 24 hours to sign on the dotted line.

It certainly seems as if we will see the captain of the Dutch national team in the Turkish Super Lig in the near future. Paperwork and Sneijder's desire to move are the only roadblocks at this point.

Stay right here this week for further updates as they arrive. 

End of Update.

Inter Milan Accept Bid from Galatasaray

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According to Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti (via BBC Sport), the club has reached an agreement with Turkish club Galatasaray for Sneijder's transfer.

Galatasaray has a strong track record of signing players from prominent European clubs. In the past couple of seasons, they have snatched Hamit Altintop, Emmanuel Eboue, and Felipe Melo from Champions league clubs either on loan or on a permanent basis.

Whether Sneijder will agree to move to a club that is not in Europe's true upper echelon remains to be seen, however.

Sneijder's Agent Offering Him to QPR?

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If Sneijder's proposed Galatasaray move falls through, the Dutchman could have another to QPR lined up already.

Harry Redknapp, the manager of the Premier League's last-placed club, claimed recently (via the Telegraph) that one of Sneijder's agents offered him the star midfielder.

Quite rightly, Redknapp is skeptical that a player of Sneijder's stature would choose to go to a club mired in an uphill relegation battle. But then again, Julio Cesar moved to London last summer.

Sneijder Only Open to Move to Top Club

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As mentioned earlier, Wesley Sneijder's potential move to Galatasaray is a tad strange because his agent Soren Lerby stated recently (via Metro) that "Wes would want to play for a top team."

Lerby suggested that, as one of the best leagues in the world, Sneijder would be receptive to an opportunity to play in the Premier League.

But any top team would want a fit and firing Wesley Sneijder spearheading its midfield. So look for a move to a big club soon—whether it be Manchester United, Manchester City or a team in a different country.