Wesley Sneijder Transfer Rumours: Dutchman Set for Move From Inter to Spurs?

Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United have long been rumoured as the favorites to land Dutch national teamer Wesley Sneijder. But if reports out of Italy are to be believed, the 28-year-old midfielder instead could be headed to EPL rival Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window.

Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri, a contributor to CNN Italy and the Gazzetta dello Sport, tweeted this early Christmas morning: 

"

Here the big market news:Sneijder agreed deal with Tottenham,and ready to move London asap.Waiting for Inter and Spurs to agree terms

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) December 25, 2012"

When asked by a Twitter follower how likely the deal is to go through, Palmeri put the probability at 80 percent.

Of course, as he suggests, Inter and Spurs must still agree to a transfer fee. According to ESPN, that fee is believed to be around £12 million.

Despite being perceived as a world-class talent, Sneijder has not been a part of Inter’s first team for about three months. He has played in just five Serie A matches this season and was allowed to leave the team early for the Christmas holiday.

Though Nerazzuri general manager Andrea Stramaccioni insists that it is a “tactical decision,” there is a common feeling that the Dutchman’s lack of playing time is a direct result of his unwillingness to sign a new contract with Inter.

If Sneijder were to move to White Hart Lane, he would team up with American Clint Dempsey in the Spurs attack and could play a big part in replacing departed countryman Rafael Van der Vaart. Though Van der Vaart left for Hamburger SV over the summer, he was confident of Sneijder’s interest in a move to the EPL.

"Of course he would like to play in England, it's the biggest league in the world," Van der Vaart told reporters of his fellow Dutchman this past summer. "He is a good friend of mine and we have contact almost every day. He knows what to expect in the Premier League."

Spurs currently stand sixth in the Premier League, 13 points back of first-place Manchester United, who have long been suggested to be the top candidates to land Sneijder.