Fingers crossed!

Sports - January 30, 2008


VILLA are set for talks with Real Madrid over a sensational move for star midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

The 25-year-old Holland international and former Ajax ace is available after Madrid’s summer spree.

Reports in Spain suggested a fee of 16 million euros had been agreed with Liverpool for the attacking midfielder, but Villa have now come in to make their play.

It is believed his wages could still represent a huge hurdle for Villa to overcome but the fact Villa have gone for such a replacement for Gareth Barry is a signal at last of their intent to compete this season. (Birmingham Mail)

So if this source is correct, the main stumbling block impeding our purchase of this fantastic Dutch international is Aston Villa? Sorry, not meaning to be rude but surely that’s not much of a stumbling block. Yes Martin O’Neill has worked wonders at Villa Park but surely Sneijder would want Champions League football and the very real prospect of a title challenge?

If we lose Xabi Alonso then the Real Madrid man could be a godsend and if he can be purchase for the fee mentioned then that would be an absolute bargain. Rafa would do well to include any such deal into the dealings with the Spanish club over Alonso because a player switch plus cash would be far more useful so near to the new season than just all out cash.

There a few top notch players who have found themselves surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu and in my view the 25 year old former Ajax man as the best of the lot but I would equally be happy with Rafael Van Der Vaart, but lets not be greedy.

Now that Xabi has issued a transfer request we really should try to get as much as possible for him but not risk not selling him as keeping a player after all this back and forth could be disastrous. I rate the Spaniard as being able to give his all to the club even if he doesn’t get the move he wants, but he wouldn’t be human if he wouldn’t be slightly affected.

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