Sneijder, Modric, Tevez and more – readers’ transfer questions answered in Goal.com’s Twitter Q&A

Wesley Sneijder – Inter (Getty Images)

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As Premier League clubs continue to spend in preparation for the start of the new season, Goal.com allowed readers to find out more about potential transfers with a Q&A session with correspondent Greg Stobart.

Our Twitter page was full of questions from fans all over the world wanting to know what would happen next with their clubs.

Click here for a full transcript of the session – here are some of the highlights:

Q: What’s the situation with Luka Modric? – Olatunji Cole

Greg Stobart: “The latest is essentially the same story that we have been hearing all summer. Modric wants to leave and join Chelsea – who have had two bids rejected of £22 million and £27m – but Tottenham are steadfast in their resolve not to sell him.

“Modric has submitted a written transfer request, which Spurs chairman Daniel Levy swiftly rejected yesterday, and Harry Redknapp summed up the feeling within the club when he suggested a ‘piece of paper’ won’t make any difference to their stance.

“Chelsea are expected to come in with a final offer worth in excess of £30m but it won’t be anywhere near enough to tempt Levy into selling, despite Modric’s attempts to sever his ties with Spurs.

“The only real option Modric has left is to go on strike but even then, on a point of principle, Levy is adamant he will not sell the Croatian this summer. I think Chelsea will have to wait until January or next summer, and even then Spurs would much rather sell Modric to a club that isn’t a rival.”

Q: Will Carlos Tevez stay at Manchester City? – sule

GS: “I think we’re all a bit confused. Corinthians are expected to return with an improved offer after their £35m bid was turned down, but the Brazilian transfer window closes on July 20 so they will have to be quick. Manchester City have been holding out for £50m but they may be prepared to accept a lower offer to grant Tevez a return to South America, and re-invest the money to sign Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid are also interested and have made contact as Jose Mourinho looks to bolster his attacking options.”

Q: Is there a deal in place between Manchester United and Inter Milan for Wesley Sneijder? – Jonathan Kahn

GS: “We understand that Manchester United and Inter have broadly agreed terms on a fee in the region of £35m for Wesley Sneijder after high-level talks in recent days between executives from both clubs.

“The deal is by no means ‘dead’, as has been suggested elsewhere, but Sneijder’s wage demands of £200,000 a week are a major sticking point. United are reluctant to pay a weekly salary of more than £170,000 and the question is whether Sneijder will lower his demands or if that gap can be bridged through factors such as image rights, bonus payments and signing-on fees.

“Sir Alex Ferguson has moved to cool suggestions that a deal is imminent but, crucially, he far from closed the door on Sneijder moving to Old Trafford. Ferguson is a master of manipulating the media and his comments are most likely a tactic to drive down Sneijder’s wage demands and possibly the transfer fee. Despite all the public comment, Sneijder wants to play for United, Ferguson wants him, and Inter are willing to sell.

“Plenty of talks are still being held behind the scenes as United have identified Sneijder as the man to replace Paul Scholes. It could move very quickly and be completed within a couple of days, or it could rumble on for a few more weeks yet as all parties try to get the best financial deal.”

Ducking out | Meireles’ lack of aggression frustrated Dalglish and he could leave Anfield

Q: Who is going to leave Liverpool? – Eidee Safadzi

GS: “The most high-profile departure from Liverpool this summer looks likely to be Raul Meireles, who looks like he is being squeezed out following the signings of Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson.

“The Portuguese midfielder believes the club broke a promise of an improved contract at the end of last season and Juventus have definitely made contact over a deal. Despite a generally impressive debut season in the Premier League, which included some crucial goals, his lack of aggression frustrated Kenny Dalglish at times. The Reds would want to recoup at least the £10.6m they paid Porto for Meireles last summer.

“Other than Meireles, flops from the doomed Roy Hodgson regime are the most likely to leave Anfield. Paul Konchesky has already signed for Leicester; Christian Poulsen is for sale and a target for FC Copenhagen; Milan Jovanovic will be allowed to leave on a free transfer if he can agree terms with Anderlecht; and Joe Cole can leave if he can find a club willing to pay his huge wages.”

Q: Who will replace Gael Clichy and will Arsenal sign Chris Samba or Gary Cahill? – Obum Osigwe

“I think it’s entirely possible Arsenal will sign a new left-back despite Arsene Wenger suggesting he won’t be looking to replace Gael Clichy. Someone like Jose Enrique, who has a year left on his Newcastle contract, would fit the bill if Arsenal can agree a fee of between £6-8m.

“Wenger has long seen Kieran Gibbs as his long-term left-back but the youngster’s development keeps getting held up by injury problems. Thomas Vermaelen can play there but it’s not his natural position, while Armand Traore is not considered good enough to play regularly for the club.

“I expect Cahill to sign eventually, although Arsenal are trying to drive down the transfer fee from the £17m buyout clause in his contract. There are also some issues over wages but Cahill wants to play for Arsenal and that has been made clear to other suitors such as Tottenham. I’m not so sure about Samba, I’ve heard that there are some concerns at Arsenal about his medical record and they are reluctant to pay the £10m Blackburn want for their captain.”