Late on Wednesday night news broke that Man Utd had tabled a £29m bid for Wesley Sneijder as well as enquired about Mario Ballotelli.
It created a buzz amongst United fans myself included as it went some way to proving that we were not as impoverished as various media sources would have us believe. I personally took pleasure in telling friends who support other clubs, “I told you so!” as they had jeered and jibed that we were broke.
The next day the euphoria came to an end and reality kicked in as Wesley Sneijder affirmed his intention to stay in Italy with Inter Milan. As far as I know the £29m bid wasn’t accepted or rejected as Sneijder himself killed the whole transfer with his own mouth but then I got to thinking, were we as United fans being had?
Sneijder has had a spectacular season, doing the treble with Inter as well as potentially winning the World Cup with Holland. His 5 goals in the competition put him the running for the golden boot, he is also a contender for the golden ball as well as being a front runner for the Ballon D’or so was £29m a realistic offer? There is always the danger of over paying especially when it comes to United and transfers but following the year he has had, the World Cup he is having and the inflated transfer market I don’t think Inter would have even considered it.
But David Gill isn’t a fool, he knows this.
Yet in making the bid United killed two birds with one stone, appeasing us who felt that there was no money at the club as well as going for a big name. I noticed for the brief time we have been linked with a move for Sneijder there has been very little talk on the Glazers or the club’s financial position.
I’m not an expert or a club insider and perhaps if Sneijder didn’t come out and say he wanted to stay at Inter we would have upped our bid or we may even still push for him now but the bid had it’s desired effect. Following Sneijder’s snub the papers have linked us with a move for Mesut Ozil. This would really please the fans and could possibly be cheaper than a deal for Sneijder so it’ll be interesting to see if we pursue this.
Owen Hargreaves’ latest injury set back may force us to spend as well so if we do actually have this money rather than just making gestures, this is when we will see.
O.K…….so there is an offer in for a player…who does not want to play for us……then there’s another…..conveniently placed in the media…..WHO are they trying to kid……We have not signed Joe Cole/or Gosling…and they were free……I DO NOT BELIEVE A WORD OF IT……we all know that Sanchez would improve the squad…and He wants to come………… IT IS A LOAD OF NONSENSE
I’ve shared the same thoughts and United are reportedly pursuing Ozil for just slightly less than they offered for Sneijder, which suggests they’re not playing around. I also confirms that United management are aware of our biggest need and are hopefully quite serious about addressing it shortly.
Sneijder’s decline was disappointing, but signing Ozil would of course make up for that.
With Hargreaves reinjuring his knee again, they should just accept the conclusion that he’s done for. At the very least, they need to sign another DM and if a miracle happens and he fully recovers, than they can worry about that later. But 2 years of rehab with no playing time and still having no idea about his return shows we’ve done all we can.
I wish fans would stop thinking negatively, trust Sir alex, He often in the past failed to discuss transfer targets, remaining silent, sugesting quiet summers, only to swoop on the sly. Its clever business, lets stop thinking the worst. Leave the running of the business to the business men and focus on performances on the pitch, the club is attempting to improve oyr performances by making bids for decent players. What more do you want, to offer 50 million for a player you can get for much less, just to prove to the fans that there is money to spend. Nobody knows the club better than Sir Alex.
You also have to consider that many of these transfer stories are made up by agents of players hoping to get a good deal for their clients. But I agree with the author of this article – if the Sneijder story is correct and a bid was made, it was bound to fall at the first hurdle. Not only over the price, but also because Benitez is extremely unlikely to agree to sell one of his prized assets in his first season at the club – especially to United who he seems to hold much contempt for. The Inter fans would have never forgiven him.
This is exactly whtit is — Gill & Co pretending that we have money going for players we know we can’t get.
On a lighter note — apparently City have offered £45 m for Raoul Moat — they don’t know who he is but have heard that everyone is after him.
here here Jezzy!
Just to be clear & co. doesn’t include Sir Alex. I agree not announcing your targets is smarter but that’s not I’m discussing here.
David Gill is the same man that said “Debt is the road to ruin” but even with the massive debt we’re in turns around and says the club is in good shape and hands.
Don’t piss on my head and tell me it’s raining!
We’re also rumoured to be in the hunt for Khedira. It’s a very pragmatic move especially considering the news about Hargreaves. He’s in a very similar position as Ozil given how much he’s impressed at the WC, is quite young, and only has one year left his contract for a team that will be unable to afford him.
I agree with Jeezy, let’s give SAF the benefit of the doubt. He’s earned it. I’m no fan of the Glazers, but I don’t think they’re entirely stupid to the point running the club into the ground. Even if they’re entirely motivated by greed, they recognize the strength of United’s brand and that banning any major signings will ultimately impeed a good long-term business plan.
@Dmac
When you mention Cole as “free” bear in mind that he still has to be paid, and is asking a lot. It also sets precedent and other players may wonder why they aren’t being paid 120k a week as well. Apparently that was the reason we missed out on Silva, not on the transfer fee, but that City are going to pay him 150k per week which is a bit ridiculous for someone who is still an emerging star but not yet world class.
you are aware tht no matter the debt and wat protestors want to believe, we do have alot of money to spend if need be. we have failed ro land playerss before and wll lose out in the future, we went for sneijder and he opted to stay at inter so be it, we could yet target someone else so dont comeup with stupid protest crap before it didnt happen.
sir alex knows what he is doing,i willalways back fergie and manutd, aand the bid was real as inter confirmed it but wasnt interested and sneijder wamted to stay at inter. it wasnt a smoke screen, it was damn real as we have cash whether you protesters want to face it or not, fergie is god.