Last summer Manchester United were involved in one of the most enduring transfer sagas of the window, as speculation swirled back and forth over the potential signing of Wesley Sneijder.
While that deal eventually failed to materialize, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has yet to sign an alternative. That fact leads many to suspect that, after a season that looks like leaving the Red Devils empty-handed, United will renew their interest in the Dutchman come the close season.
And someone who shares that view is former United forward Teddy Sheringham.
"I think they will, without a doubt," Sheringham said, according to the Daily Mail. "The manager tried to sign Sneijder last year and when he likes someone he very rarely lets go of that bone and he will go back in for them.
"He did the same for a lot of players--like Ruud Van Nistelrooy," added the man who scored in United's Champions League final win over Bayern Munich in 1999. "He had a broken leg when he first went in for him but he went back in for him a year later--it wouldn't surprise me if he goes back in for Sneijder and he finally gets his man."
Reportedly the deal broke down last summer because financial terms could not be agreed bwtween the various parties. With Sneijder turning 28 next month, it is hard to forsee United offering either Inter or Sneijder more money this time around. However, with Inter looking almost certain to miss out on the Champions League, both they and the player could be more inclined to make the transfer happen this summer.
Stories emerged last week that United were interested in Everton left-back Leighton Baines, speculation that continues to grow in momentum. The Daily Mirror reports on Thursday that United will move their pursuit of the England international to the next level by tabling a £10 million offer.
It is claimed that Ferguson sees the man selected in the PFA's Premier League Team of the Year as an ideal replacement for Patrice Evra. While this story refuses to go away, it remains difficult to give it too much credence.
If and when Ferguson makes the decision to replace Evra, who admittedly has not had a great season, it will take a player of the highest level to fill his boots. At 27, despite his good form in the Premier League in the past two seasons, there must be serious doubts over Baines' ability to make what would be a huge step up at this stage of his career.
Speculation may begin to cool on United's interest in another impressive Premier League performer, with the news that Swansea is confident of securing Gylfi Sigurdsson on a permanent deal.
The Icelandic attacking midfielder has been a revelation since joining Swansea on-loan from Hoffenheim in January. And the Welsh club's boss Brendan Rodgers is eager to complete a transfer for the 22-year-old, despite rumored interest from United, as well as Arsenal.
"He has been brilliant in his time here and he really enjoys it here," Rodgers said, according toTalkSport.. "Our club is looking to get something in place with Hoffenheim.
"It will probably run over until the end of the season but we are very hopeful we can pries him here. He will be a great signing for us."
Finally, Middlesbrough has issued a warning to the host of top clubs, including United, who are reported to be interested in teenage star Bryn Morris.
The defender recently captained England Under-16s to a third-place finish at the Montaigu Tournament in France. But Keith Lamb, former Middlesbrough chief-executive and now an FA board member, believes the Riverside is the best place for Morris.
"We believe young kids that come to this football club get the right grounding in football and in life to allow them to produce the best that they possibly can," Lamb said, according to the Evening Gazatte.
"They can never say they've failed because of lack of opportunity."
