Manchester United are consulting financial experts in an effort to reach terms with Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder. The Sunday Mirror says Soren Lerby, Sneijder's agent, flew to London to meet United officials on April 2, before United's 4-2 win at West Ham.
The deal is still on but with the 27-year-old midfielder being paid £250,000-a-week at Inter, negotiations to seal the best financial package continue. Tax experts in England and Europe are being consulted.
Clearly, United know of Sneijder's salary range - but the Old Trafford hierarchy are equally well aware that there are relative pay scales at their own club to consider.
They have made it clear to Sneijder and his advisers that there has to be leeway in both the player's demands and the fee wanted by Inter.
The Italians publicly maintain that they are planning to keep the Dutch star but, privately, they accept a deal with United could still be struck.
United have not allowed the politics to derail their approach, even if nailing the final part of the transaction is taking time.
A source close to the deal said: "It was always going to be a difficult deal from the start. But there is definitely an ambition on both sides to work it all out.
"Whether it will come off, we just don't know. There is still a long way to go... but nobody is giving up.''
