Sneijder will not play during contract talks; EPL trio keen on Zarate

Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder will not play for the Nerazzurri until the two parties agree to terms on potential changes to his current contract, which is set to expire in 2015, according to Inter sporting manager Marco Branca.

Sneijder, 28, has tallied two goals and one assist in eight matches in all competitions for the Italian giants this season, while adding one goal and five assists in 10 international caps for Holland.

Reports are suggesting that the Holland international could be sold by Inter Milan when the transfer window re-opens in January, with Dutchman having been linked with a bevy of Europe’s top football clubs over the past few seasons.

“The situation with Wes, who is part of the history of this club and a player we all care about, is that we’ve been discussing a possible – and for us necessary – adjustment to his contract for a while,” revealed Branca.

“We want to give the player and his entourage all the time they need to consider the terms of our proposal carefully, so the coach and the club have decided not to use the player in this period until things are clearer.”

Despite having lost two of three matches, Inter have done quite well without the services of Sneijder.

In fact, the Nerazzurri are just four points off Juventus’ pace at the top of the Serie A table, thanks in large part to their 3-1 away win over the Turin giants on 3 November, which put an end to the Bianconeri’s 49-match unbeaten streak.

EPL trio keen on Zarate

According to Sky Sports, English Premier League trio Arsenal, Liverpool and Stoke City are reportedly keen on out-of-favour Lazio forward Mauro Zarate.

One of Zarate’s representatives, Jose Alberti, informed tuttomercatoweb that Liverpool, Arsenal and Stoke City have made inquiries about the Argentine winger.

“Mauro would like to have a new chance at Lazio but unfortunately he is not loved and so it makes no sense to continue in this situation,” Alberti told tuttomercatoweb.

“Zarate has many admirers in England and there are three Premier League clubs which have asked about him: they are Liverpool, Arsenal and Stoke City.

“I believe that Lazio want to sell him at all and I think this is a feasible deal in January. ”

Zarate, 25, has fallen out-of-favour with Lazio boss Vladimir Petković, having featured in just one league match for the Biancocelesti in 2012-13.

The Argentine was tipped for stardom after bagging 13 goals and eight assists in his debut campaign for Lazio in 2008-09, following his move from Argentine Primera División club Vélez Sarsfield.

His career has since hit a roadblock, but a move to the Premier League could revive a once promising future for the 25-year-old winger.