Sneijder to United: The Timeline of Events

Nothing ever seems to be simple with Manchester United, and the Wesley Sneijder to United saga which has continued to dominate the headlines is certainly one of those complicated transfers we’d all rather see completed very soon.

United have thought about Samir Nasri of Arsenal and Luka Modric of Tottenham as replacements for Paul Scholes, but it seems that United have made Sneijder their number one priority. It is a story which journalists and reporters have absolutely loved, with hundreds of varying stories spurted out for us to digest in a rush of excitement only to be disappointed again and again.

So I have collected and shortened as best I can, all of the reports, stories and “exclusives” that we have all been fed over the past couple of months, and stuck them in a sort of timeline. Enjoy:

11th April

• Rumours circulate that Manchester United could be ready to offer their influential winger Nani to Inter Milan to persuade them to let go of Sneijder.

26th April

• Sneijder praises United: “Do I want to go to United? It’s a beautiful club, but I’m fine in Milan and not at the point to think about it.”

8th May

• An Old Trafford insider says of the move: “It’s up to the owners now. Sir Alex wants the player — it’s just a matter of agreeing to the wage demands.”

30th May

• It becomes the general consensus that Manchester United must sign Sneijder to keep up with Barcelona.

5th June

• Sneijder flies to California to meet his wife Yolanthe where they discuss whether a move to England with either Manchester United or City would be desirable.

10th June

• Sneijder praises Inter: “Milan is marvellous, picturesque and full of elegance. I love it. At the moment I am very happy here and I don’t see why I should leave.”

12th June

• Sneijder says something to fuel suggestions he will say goodbye to Inter: “The Inter fans have always treated me very well. They were wonderful and I want to simply thank them. Only God will decide where my future lies.”

20th June

• When Sneijder was asked whether he fancied a switch to United he replied rather ambiguously: “We shall see.”

21st June

• Manchester City and Manchester United are locked in a battle to land Wesley Sneijder.

29th June

• According to reports Manchester United are set to go for broke to land Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder. Manchester United set to offer Wesley Sneijder £200k-per-week deal. [Click Manchester]

July 6th

• Sneijder would be ‘ideal’ for United, according to Old Trafford first-team coach Rene Meulensteen.

July 9th

• Inter Milan’s board will meet to sanction the sale of Wesley Sneijder to Manchester United.

• Inter boss Gian Piero Gasperini said: “I try not to be worried about Sneijder. He is one of the best players in Europe. But I am convinced we can find a new player when he goes.”

July 11th

• Wesley Sneijder admits desire to remain at Inter: “I want to stay. I have great friends here like Javier Zanetti who kept us all together when morale was low [last season]. If the team decides to sell me then I would go where they say, but I would be unhappy [to leave].”

“Whatever will be will be.” [Goal.com]

 

July 12th

• Inter Milan director Marco Branca has warned interested clubs off Wesley Sneijder, insisting that the Dutch star “is not for sale”.

July 13th

• Federico Macheda says on Twitter that he hopes to see Sneijder in the United team soon, sparking hundreds of new reports saying the United striker has “leaked” information he shouldn’t have.

• Manchester United are close to completing Wesley Sneijder’s £35million transfer.

• United chief executive David Gill is believed to have agreed terms with representatives of the Inter Milan and Holland star, who will earn £190,000-a-week at Old Trafford. [the mirror]

14th July

• United are ready to use Nani as bait in their bid to lure Wesley Sneijder to Old Trafford (again.)

• Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said the club have “no real interest” in signing Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder. [BBC]

15th July

• Sportswear giants Nike have emerged as key to Wesley Sneijder completing a £35.2 million move to Manchester United. The US-based firm sponsor Sneijder and supply the Premier League champions’ kit and could be ready to step in and pay a percentage of the Dutchman’s wages to ensure the club record transfer goes through.

16th July

• With Arsenal refusing to sell Samir Nasri and Internazionale reluctant to do business for Wesley Sneijder, the Reds boss is now thought to have turned to Hamsik.

To Be Continued…

Submitted by DBSFootball