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Football

12th Sep 2018

John Terry’s move to Spartak Moscow suddenly in doubt

It looked like a done deal

Darragh Murphy

John Terry’s move to Spartak Moscow is in danger of falling apart.

It appeared to be a done deal at the weekend, when Terry travelled to Moscow to undergo a medical ahead of a year-long switch to the Russian Premier League side.

The club claimed that the doors had been opened for an important guest on Saturday, hinting that an announcement was imminent.

But several days have passed and there has been no confirmation of Terry’s move.

It was suggested that the defender’s wage demands were acting as something of a stumbling block in getting the deal over the line but the more pressing concern is reportedly a personal one.

Russian outlet Sport-Express claims that the transfer has been delayed because Terry is holding out for money and also because the 37-year-old has serious concerns about bringing his family to Moscow with him.

The centre-half, who remains without a club since parting ways with Aston Villa in the summer, has reservations about uprooting the lives of his wife Toni and their two children for such a short-term contract.

But Terry also apparently doesn’t want to spend the season away from his family and is thus having second thoughts.

The report claims that Terry flew back to England after his weekend medical and then requested a larger wage packet.

An agreement could not be reached when Spartak representatives flew to England for further talks but the player has been granted a Russian visa.

The decision now lies solely with Terry and Spartak have until the end of the week to get the deal signed off.