There are fewer and fewer Inter players left from their triumphant Champions League campaign three years ago; Wesley Sneijder, considered to be one of the best players in the world during that season, is one of the final relics. Now, it seems that his time with the nerazzurri is coming to an end.
Sneijder, a former UEFA midfielder of the season who was signed for €15 million by Inter in 2009 has taken quite a fall in his stature and ability while playing for the club over the last couple of seasons. Call it post-Mourinho syndrome, or just call it a player who wants to do his thing somewhere else. Manchester United have been after the disappointing Dutchman for quite some time now. There’s a good chance that in January, they and he will get their wish.
Sneijder is one of the highest paid players in the Serie A, earning €6 million a season. That hasn’t made him a permanant figure in the Inter starting lineup, featuring only five times in Stramaccioni first XI and coming three more times off the bench. He has scored only one goal so far this season, while Walter Gargano and Esteban Cambiasso are unmovable in the lineup, with the third spot filled by a different player in each match.
Sneijder isn’t playing because the coach doesn’t think he’s at his best, above all psychologically. For us it’s natural to look for a way to not be forced to sell him and he has the right to not accept our offer. If it stays like that, the solution will be on the transfer market.
The club and the player are currently going through some negotiation problems, trying to force Senijder to take a pay-cut clearly showing he isn’t in their plans, at least for the moment. Unlike previous years, when the interest in the player was due to his good ability, this time Inter will be willingly putting his name in the transfer market, as it seems he has lost all motivation to succeed for the club. Inter, by the way, haven’t won since beating Juventus in Turin.
Sneijder has 79 appearances for Inter in the Serie A, scoring 14 goals and adding 10 assists. He has one league title, one Champions League trophy and two Italian cups since joining the team.