Turkish giant Galatasaray won’t waste any time in getting their new Dutch international Wesley Sneijder folded into the mix at the historic Istanbul sports club.
News broke only Sunday that Sneijder, the dynamic Dutch international midfielder, so big a part of the Holland’s second-place finish in the 2010 World Cup, had moved from Inter Milan to Galatasaray for about $10 million.
The clubs say Sneijder is already in Turkey for an afternoon physical. The club has confirmed the move, with some stories out of Europe reporting this as a three-and-a-half year agreement. That would bind Sneijder to Galatasaray until 2016, right about the time he turns 32.
Sneijder moved to Milan from Real Madrid back in 2009 for about $20 million.
Barring something unforeseen, Sneijder’s move could be the most significant of the winter transfer window. Frank Lampard moving away from Chelsea would probably be a bigger story; that seems more likely to happen this summer, with Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy looking as likely a landing spot as anywhere else.
A move for Manchester City bad boy Mario Balotelli would certainly raise a ruckus.
And there are talented young players like Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha who could make major transfer news. (Especially if he moves to Old Trafford.)
But given Sneijder’s resume, the destinations involved and his general place in the game over the last 8-10 years (at Ajax, Real, Inter and for the Netherlands), this is probably your big transfer tale for the month.
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Silvio Berlusconi says he hasn’t fired Maximiliano Allegri. Yet.
May 20, 2013, 5:45 PM EDT
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For a moment, it looked like Milan had fired their coaching staff … via an open letter from a television show.
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Real Madrid won’t get any compensation from Chelsea for José Mourinho
May 20, 2013, 4:55 PM EDT
Real Madrid would have been in line for an eight-digit payday had they sold Mourinho to Chelsea.
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Klinsmann to replace Moyes at Everton? UK bookmakers slash odds
May 20, 2013, 4:00 PM EDT
Reuters
Odds on current U.S. Men’s National Team boss Jurgen Klinsmann to become Everton’s next permanent manager have dropped heavily today.
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ProSoccerTalk’s MLS Player of the Week: New York Red Bulls’ Jamison Olave
May 20, 2013, 3:45 PM EDT
Wherein we justify the selection of a center back, which always seems to be a requirement in these things:
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What’s been coming for a long time is now official. Jose Mourinho’s three-year tenure at Real Madrid has a finish line.
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Ben Olsen? Frank Klopas? … Someone else?
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The big, soon-to-be out of contract Galaxy center backs says talks with MLS commenced:
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Kljestan becomes the fifth American to defend a title in a top league:
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The Scottish striker will hardly be missed around Vancouver:
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Sporting K.C. makes it clear after blown call – “I scored the goal”
May 19, 2013, 10:00 PM EDT
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Sporting K.C. manager Peter Vermes and defender Ike Opera didn’t appreciate the pivotal offsides call that disallowed a possible winning goal against D.C. United, and they made that very obvious.
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D.C. United rue own goal but end losing streak against Sporting KC
May 19, 2013, 7:51 PM EDT
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A dull, scoreless first half picked up in the second term as D.C. United grabbed a point against the league’s second-best team and ended their club-record losing streak at 7 matches.
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Carlo Ancelotti denied release from PSG as he looks to Real Madrid job
May 19, 2013, 5:50 PM EDT
Reuters
With his eye on the imminent vacancy at Real Madrid left by Jose Mourinho’s almost certain departure, Paris Saint-Germain’s mastermind Carlo Ancelotti may now have a large hurdle to get past if he is to land his ideal job in Spain’s capital.
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Fernando Torres scores first Premier League goal in 2013 as Chelsea secures third place
May 19, 2013, 5:34 PM EDT
Fernando Torres broke his Premier League scoring drought by banging home the game-winner to secure Chelsea a third place finish.
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Heartbreak in Serie A this year belongs to Fiorentina. Mario Balotelli converted a penalty in the 84th minute to draw level and two minutes later Philippe Mexes slotted home a cross to secure Europe’s top competition for AC Milan.




