Kluivert wants unhappy Sneijder to leave Inter Milan

Wesley Sneijder has been with Inter Milan since 2009.

Sandro Perozzi/AP

Former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert says he hopes compatriot and close friend Wesley Sneijder leaves Inter Milan in January.

Sneijder is in the middle of a contract dispute with Inter, which wants the playmaker to take a pay cut.

On Thursday, Kluivert says he has spoken to Sneijder and "he doesn't feel happy. He has to play, also for the national team. Inter is in his heart ... but let's hope he rescinds his contract so he can play.''

Sneijder hasn't played for Inter since September. First he was sidelined for two months with another injury, but then Inter technical director Marco Branca said last month that Sneijder wouldn't play again until he made a decision about his future, with a new deal reportedly requiring him to take a pay cut.