Wesley Sneijder is a top target for Chelsea and
Manchester United
GUUS HIDDINK has sparked the first transfer war
of the summer by telling Roman Abramovich to steal Wesley Sneijder
from under the noses of Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson wants Holland midfielder Sneijder as
the ideal replacement for Paul Scholes – he even made an
approach last summer but was turned down – while neighbours
Manchester City are also considering a bid.
But Hiddink, whose advisers are planning talks with
Chelsea and the Turkish FA in a bid to gain his release from the
last year of his contract over there, has told Chelsea that World
Cup star Sneijder, 26, is the man to revitalise them. The player,
who is keen on a move to England, is valued at about £30million by
Inter. That will not deter any of the three clubs who want him, but
Hiddink hopes his influence on his fellow Dutchman can swing the
balance.
A major stumbling block has been his £175,000-a-week
wages, which make him the best-paid player in Italy
That will water the eyes of Old Trafford accountants,
but can be matched by Abramovich and City’s Abu Dhabi owners.
Chelsea’s other targets are more modest, with
Anderlecht youngster Romelu Lukaku, Ajax defender Gregory van der
Weil and Brazilian Neymar on the wishlist.
But if Sneijder also arrives, it could still mean a
spend of £80m.
Hiddink has been advising Abramovich on recruitment
prior to his likely arrival, although last night the Turkish
Federation denied a deal had been agreed.
Spokesman Turker Tozar said: “There is nothing official
happening because both parties are away. Mr Hiddink is on holiday
and our president is on holiday for a week.”
The Turks want £4m in compensation, which Chelsea are
reluctant to pay. But Hiddink does not want to walk out on Turkey,
so negotiations are ongoing.
Anderlecht striker Lukaku has long been a target. He
has visited Chelsea and spoken of his admiration for Didier
Drogba.
Lukaku, 18, said last week he would only leave to join
one of the Premier League’s top three, and on Sunday the £15m-rated
striker wrote in an autograph book that, “My dream is to play for
Chelsea”.
Lukaku complimented another young fan, who was wearing
Blues kit, with: “Nice shirt!” He said: “I know what I want to do,
but I can’t speak about it yet.”
Striker Gokhan Tore has become the Blues’ third player
to join Hamburg in a week.
Former Chelsea director of football Frank Arnesen, now
with the German club, moved for Turkey star Tore, 19. Arnesen has
also signed defender Michael Mancienne, 23, as well as midfielder
Jacopo Sala, 19
