Like a teenage crush on Kylie Minogue, United’s interest in Snejider was intense but ephemeral
We are getting close to silly season in the transfer market. And that can only mean a return to speculation about the future of Wesley Sneijder. A Russian newspaper has led with a story about Manchester United and Anzhi both wanting the star this winter. Apparently Inter will auction him off imminently and these two hyper clubs will be sat at the front of the queue, waving their cash in his tiny face come Christmas.
soccersweep thinks that Anzhi may well want the brilliant midfielder but that Manchester United are less likely to bite unless Inter’s valuation is dramatically decreased. The 28 year old, who reportedly earns £6m per year, was clearly interested in a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2011 but Inter wanted silly money and, like a teenage crush on Kylie Minogue, United’s interest in Sneijder was intense but ephemeral. Now Inter will struggle to offload him for half of the £30m that they reportedly put on his head back then.
With the signing of RVP, Manchester United have illustrated that they are prepared to pay for proven quality, as well as the usual prodigious pups in which Fergie likes largely to invest. Sneijder is in the same class as RVP. He has many of the qualities of a younger Scholes – great passing range, vision, movement and a devastating long range shot on him. He’s a fantastic footballer.
But while The Dutchman would certainly improve the team in the immediate future, his worth in the medium and long term is questionable. Fergie has recently waxed lyrical about his young flock of midfielders and he may wish to let the talents of Cleverley, Anderson, Powell and Kagawa breathe instead of bringing in another veteran.
So, much as we love the player, our cost-benefit analysis does not favour a Sneijder move to Manchester United unless Inter drop their fee to between 5-10m. Even then Fergie may prefer to stick with what he has or buy another young colt such a Victor Wanyama.
Follow us on Twitter @soccersweep10
