Date: 7th July 2011 at 10:04am
Written by:
Wesley Sneijder

Is the Dutchman heading to Old Trafford?

He is the man that has been subject to transfer speculation all summer long. Wesley Sneijder, the superb creative midfielder, the world class name, the world class player that every Manchester United fan has been crying out for. Could he soon be on his way to Manchester United? I believe so.

The Dutch maestro has again been heavily linked with Manchester United in the past few days. Some reports suggest that we have been given the green light to bid £35million for Wesley Sneijder but whether these reports are true, I cannot say. What I do know is that there have been quite a few things suggesting that he could be on his way to Old Trafford.

The first thing is obviously the quotes of Gian Piero Gasparini, the new Inter Milan manager.

“There’s no doubt that Sneijder’s a great player, but it’s hard to know what’s going to happen over the next 50 days”

Gasparini is definitely hinting that it is possible that Wesley Sneijder could be sold this summer but says nothing about the likelihood of it happening. The new Inter Milan manager will definitely not concede that they want to sell Wesley because that is not the case but most sections of the Italian press believe that if the right offer does come along, Sneijder may be sold.

Thereafter there were some interesting quotes from the Inter Milan chief executive Ernesta Paolillo.

“We have to sell, then after we have sold we will see what Inter will buy, the first move will be selling and not buying.”

“We are thinking of UEFA’s rules on Financial Fair Play. That’s why we will start selling, otherwise we will not buy anything. But of course we don’t want to say who we will sell because that would not be a good thing for us to do in the market.”

Inter Milan have made quite a substantial loss over the past 3 seasons and so their financial position is to be questioned. Having already signed Ricky Alvarez for £11million, Inter Milan are also thought to be in quite advanced stages in signing Ever Banega of Valencia, Jonathan of Santos and Rodrigo Palacio of Genoa.

All three of the players above will cost somewhat in the region of what Inter Milan’s confirmed signing Ricky Alvarez does which could mean they may soon be spending a figure close to £40million. At Inter Milan it is only Wesley Sneijder who could command such a fee to raise the funds Inter Milan want to sign all of their summer targets.

Another Argentinian wonderkid is also being linked with Inter Milan. Erik Lamela of River Plate has also been heavily linked with Inter Milan and yes, he is a central midfielder. In fact, currently on Inter Milan’s books there are 7 players who are recognised central midfielders: Stankovic, Cambiasso, Motta, Zanetti, Sneijder, Mariga and Muntari. New signing Ricky Alvarez is also a centre mid and both potential signings Ever Banega and Erik Lamela are also centre mids.

So potentially Inter Milan would have 10 players (though more likely to be 9) who can play in a central midfield position on their books. The new Inter Milan manager’s preferred formation throughout his career has been the 3-4-3 formation which only accomodates 2 flat centre midfielders, not even the advanced position that Wesley Sneijder favours. It leaves an awful lot of players to fill up only 2 places in the team doesn’t it? Surely some of the players previously mentioned are going to be on their way right?

TalkSPORT’s Dutch correspondent Marcel van der Kraan came out just this morning with the following:

“Wesley Sneijder is in a difficult position in he doesn’t want to shout off to the fans of inter ‘I want to join Manchester United’ but we in Holland are absolutely convinced that Manchester United is his dream club and he would love to join tomorrow.”

“Wesley Sneijder’s transfer purely depends on the fact that Manchester United have to cough up an incredible amount of money. They (Inter Milan) will not let him go for less than £35million.”

“There was serious talks between his agent Soren Lerby and Sir Alex Ferguson in London on the night before a Man Utd game. From that moment on there was serious talk of how they could bring this player to Old Trafford and they have been masterminding it and I think that they’ve come to the conclusion that it has to be done now and has to be done for a big amount of money.”

If Marcel van der Kraan is to be believed, a Manchester United bid may be imminent. One thing is for sure, he and other Dutch journalists are convinced that Wesley Sneijder does want to join Manchester United.

If that is not enough food for thought, Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen also came out with some interesting quotes just yesterday.

“The new Paul Scholes doesn’t exist, just as a new Roy Keane has never emerged, but Sneijder would fit perfectly here.”

“I can’t actually think of a more ideal player for our team. I say this not because he’s a Dutchman. I’ve worked here for a while, I know the team inside out and I know he would be a great signing.”

“I don’t know what his future is at Inter, whether he may leave or whether he’s affordable. But, purely based on football skills, I say: Get Sneijder.”

I say: Rene Meulensteen seems quite keen on Wesley Sneijder and so does every Manchester United fan. There seems to be a fair few different things hinting that Wesley Sneijder could be on his way. Whether he actually will be, only time will tell.

Should Sir Alex Ferguson sign Wesley Sneijder this summer? Should SIr Alex Ferguson target an alternative central midfielder? Who would you like to see join Manchester United this summer? Feel free to comment below.

Follow me @RedMancunia and RedFlagFlyingHigh @RFFH on twitter!

 

94 responses to “Wesley Sneijder Could Be On His Way To Manchester United”

  1. Michael Dell (Denton,mcr) says:

    Biddlebebooooooooo. I’m the coolest dude

  2. Michael Dell (Denton,mcr) says:

    Sorry. I thought I was texting my mum. Didn’t realise I was posting. Apologies guys.

  3. ZhuL says:

    Gea

    Rafeal Smallimg/Jones Vidic Evra

    Nani/Valencia Nasri Sneijder Young

    Rooney Hernandez

    man.utd need to buy left footed player…

  4. Baz says:

    Sneijder is a great player,the only player i see closest to our Scholsey.27 i think is a little to old for someone to replace Scholes for us. We need someone in for the long run,not saying Sneijder will only last 2/3 years,but i would prefer someone who will last 10 years plus. Nasri is a young player,someone who will fill in that position for us.Nasri’s just as creative as Sneijder,scores goals,great passer BUT he also has that PL experience that we need.
    De Gea
    Fabio/Raf,Rio,Vidic,Evra
    Valencia Nani
    Nasri/Sneijder,Young
    Hernandez,Rooney

  5. rash says:

    Nasri will be very good buy? 27 years old sneijder and 35million pounds too expensive…also sneijder never played in the EPL

  6. Flamur Kaqiu says:

    If we boy Snejder man utd’s middelfiled will be so strong!!!! ok we need more Snejder than Nasri but both is better!!!!
    Come on! to United Snejder!!!!

  7. Jake says:

    It’s embarrassing how many random people comment on here.

    Some of you can’t even speak English and only support United because they are a good team. And then come out with comments like “lets buy sneijder, schweinsteiger, nasri, sanchez” you honestly don’t have a clue and it’s really frustrating. Get a grip.

    How many of you are from Manchester? Probably 5%…

    True RED !

    • Daler-t says:

      What’s your opinion then?

    • hellboy says:

      o so now you have to be from manchester to support them ive supported man u for over 25 yrs and not from the uk but i support ur comments about some random assholes talking shit and spelling crap like i said earlier lets see who we sign wen saf is standing beside either of the new players holding the jersey up smiling at the cameras

  8. john says:

    sneijder or nasri- pick ONE

    nasri can fit into 4-4-2 alot better than sneijder, and can allow rooney to drop into the hole

    However, sneijder can easily improve man utd in UCL, as he can easily operate in a 4-3-3, utd’s formation of choice in european football. when Rooney is lone striker, sneijder can play in the hole, in front of fletcher and park jisung, and i think thats why sneijder is the better signing. a midfield trio that can easily combat barca’s work rate

  9. Shakur sunkanmi says:

    We dont need nasri for now but we are much in need of sneyder to resplace scholes pls papa hurry up to signh him.

  10. Shakur sunkanmi says:

    We dont need nasri for now but we are much in need of sneiyder to resplace scholes pls papa hurry up to signh him.