Istanbul: Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder is staying with Istanbul giants Galatasaray this season despite speculation that he would leave following his sparkling showing in the World Cup, the club president said on Tuesday.
Galatasaray will be seeking to make a major impact in the Champions League this season after signing former Italy football manager Cesare Prandelli as their new coach.
“Sneijder is going to stay with Galatasaray,” said Galatasaray president Unal Aysal, quoted by Turkish media.
“It’s not just our opinion but that of Cesare Prandelli and the player. There can be no talk of a split between us.
“He had a tiring season and right afterwards he played at the World Cup. He will rejoin us after the holidays,” he added.
Aysal had previously said that the club was willing to sell Sneijder if another club was willing to cough up for a 20-million-euro (Rs 161.68 crore) release clause.
Sneijder, who joined Galatasaray in 2013 from Inter Milan, had been linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Monaco or English giants Manchester United or Chelsea.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Belgium striker Divock Origi has been signed by Liverpool from Lille, but the Merseyside club said they will loan him back to the French team for the 2014-15 campaign.
Origi travelled to the United States, where Liverpool are on a pre-season tour, in order to complete the deal. Liverpool did not disclose the length of his contract. (AFP)