Villa may lose out in Sneijder chase

Jun 8 2007

VILLA are understood to be playing catch-up to Tottenham Hotspur in the battle to sign Wesley Sneijder.

Both clubs are understood to be willing to pay the £10million transfer fee being demanded by Ajax .

But talks are understood to have already been held between his agent, Rodger Lindse, and Spurs' Dutch manager Martin Jol.

There is speculation that the player would prefer a move to London rather than Birmingham.

Ajax have already rejected a series of bids from Valencia for the Dutch international which peaked at £8.1m.

He was recently watched by Martin O'Neill at the Dutch Cup final against AZ Alkmaar but Jol is believed to have the advantage.

Sneijder has set his heart on a move from Ajax where he has two years remaining on his contract.

He played for the Netherlands in their 3-1 friendly victory over Thailand on Wednesday and has been a first-team regular in Amsterdam for five years.