Getty Images Even though we linked to this story in the Premier League Boxing Day preview, it deserves a post of its own. It’s not everyday a player like Wesley Sneijder is rumored to be on the move.
That he’s moving from Internazionale isn’t surprising. The team has frozen him out in an effort to get the player to voluntarily reduce his wages, though in order for the Dutch international to come in line with Inter Milan’s expectations, he’d have to reduce his compensation by 30 percent. Currently making just short of $159,000 per week (afte taxes), Sneijder is thought to be the highest earner in the Italian game.
MORE: Don’t expect to see Wesley Sneijder any time soon
Sneijder would have to really want to stay in Milan to capitulate to such demands, especially considering the club’s strong-armed tactics practically beg him to leave. With Anzhi Makhachkala, Manchester City, and Manchester United still linked to the 28-year-old, Sneijder has plenty of potential suitors who could keep him in a similar wage bracket.
Not to mention the fact it’s unclear Sneijder, for all his obvious quality, makes Inter a better team. Head coach Andrea Stramaccioni has moved away from systems that depend on the attacking midfielder. To insert him into the plans would risk throwing the squad out of balance.
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Add in the fact Sneijder’s still Champions League eligible (Inter having failed to qualify for the competition this season) and the former Nerazzurri linchpin looks destined to leave Inter during the January window.
That he was linked with Spurs by a prominent Italian journalist is the big surprise:
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
The personal terms should have been the most difficult part of this deal. That they may already be done is amazing enough, but with Spurs of all squads?
Tottenham is not known for paying high wages. At least, their wage structure doesn’t allow them to pay at the level of Manchester City or Chelsea. With Sneijder available, it’s unlikely they could offer terms near those of the Manchester clubs. If they were to get Sneijder, either their policies will have changed or Sneijder’s desperation to get out of Inter will leave a lot of money on the table. In addition to the wage cut, London is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
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As Palmeri noted later on his Twitter timeline, a lot could still go wrong with the deal, but even the basis for it looks thin. If the move were to happen (which would require Spurs and Inter agreeing on a transfer fee), the hype surrounding the transfer would end up far less compelling than the dirty details. Either Spurs will have made a shift regarding what they’re willing to compensate players or Sneijder will have hit the eject button before finding a cushier landing spot.
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Reuters
Brazil has infrastructure concerns. They’ve also spent $3.3 billion on soccer stadia. No surprise, people aren’t happy.
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The mythology of Ajax, Dutch soccer and one stars’ struggles outside the Dutch league make this potential transfer difficult to evaluate.
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Honduran international Maynor Figueroa completes move to Hull City
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Reuters
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Tahiti are a great story, but nobody wins when small countries get slaughtered by the world’s top teams.
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Monday’s Transfer Rumor Roundup: Bale to PSG and Koscileny wanted by Bayern and Barcelona
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So just how serious are PSG? Word has it they’re ready to break the Premier League transfer record.
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Colorado Rapids send Pablo Mastroeni to LA Galaxy; Baggio Husidic re-enters the fold
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Six Dutch teenagers convicted for manslaughter after beating referee to death
Jun 17, 2013, 11:21 AM EDT
Justice has been served in Holland where six teenagers have been convicted of manslaughter for their part in kicking a linesman to death.
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Three good questions for Clint Dempsey – Part III: Shunning complacency, and his second season at Tottenham Hotspur
Jun 17, 2013, 10:30 AM EDT
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In the last of three parts in ProSoccerTalk’s exclusive interview, Tottenham Hotspur and U.S. international Clint Dempsey talks about expectations for his second go-round at White Hart Lane:
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Joe Kinnear is named Newcastle’s director of football – Newcastle fans up in arms
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Joe Kinnear, the man who drove Newcastle to relegation in 2008-09, is returning to the club as the director of football.
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Three good questions for Clint Dempsey – Part II: London calling
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In the second of three parts in ProSoccerTalk’s exclusive interview, Tottenham Hotspur and U.S. international Clint Dempsey talks a little about London and his American roots:
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“Robert will definitely be playing for Borussia Dortmund next season,” said BVB general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke.
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Premier League coaches may face loyalty test in face of Paris Saint-Germain
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Villas-Boas, Laudrup have been linked. One makes sense, but should both show their EPL clubs loyalty?




