Wesley Sneijder to Man United and 5 Rumored Deals We're Sick of Hearing About

The moment Paul Scholes announced his retirement it was natural that speculation would begin over who Sir Alex Ferguson would look to bring in to replace Manchester United's influential midfielder of over a decade.

In recent weeks, the most prominently discussed rumoured signing has been that of Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder.

The Dutchman is one of the most gifted attacking midfielders in the modern game and a major component in transforming the Nerazzurri once again into Champions League winners and one of the glamour clubs of European football. In a nutshell, the calibre of player capable of filling the void left by Scholes at United.

Yet, it has been difficult to get a grasp on whether this is a deal that might actually happen. One minute it is being reported the two clubs have agreed on a deal estimated at around £35 million for the 27-year-old, the next his suggested £190,000-a-week salary is proving a stumbling block in negotiations. Then wait, Manchester United might not even want Sneijder after all!

The latest stories have Ferguson indicating that the Red Devils' dealings for the summer are done, but with over a month until the transfer window closes, there is plenty of time for that position to change. It certainly wouldn't be the first time.

Sneijder to United is not the only rumoured transfer deal to be dragging on.

Here are five more that we are also beginning to get sick and tired of hearing...if you aren't already!

Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona

It is the transfer story that just won't die. Barcelona would probably characterise it as a story touched by fate, or if they're feeling biblical, as that of the parable of the prodigal son.

Cesc Fabregas, the boy who left for the bright lights of London and Arsenal as a foolish 16-year-old, but who after becoming a man, realised the errors of his ways and returned to the forgiving and welcoming embrace of Catalonia...well he would have but for the Arsene Wenger shaped obstacle in the way.

Just like Patrick Viera for so many years, the potential leaving of Fabregas is becoming a regular story each summer. Unfortunately for Wenger, it has been difficult to get away from it throughout the season too. If it has become tiresome for football fans you can only imagine what the Frenchman must feel having to deal with it firsthand.

Arsenal continue to stand firm, naturally keen not to lose their talismanic midfielder, at least not on the cheap in these days of exorbitant transfer fees. Barcelona are unwilling to spend heavily on a player they produced, a fact they believe should count in contributing to a reasonable deal.

And what of Fabregas himself? The Spanish international plays it as being torn between two loves. Not wanting to upset Arsenal who have provided so many great memories but keen to return back to Barcelona, because after all, home is where the heart (and a successful and brilliant team) is.

For a player who purportedly leaves Barcelona so much, it makes you wonder why he ever left in the first place. Would he be seeking a move if Arsenal had won even a few trophies over the past few seasons? And what if Real Madrid come calling, with the money Arsenal want and the potential success Fabregas craves? Watch this space...

Luka Modric to Chelsea

Luka Modric, the unassuming heart of the Tottenham midfield who three seasons has quietly gone about doing his job with grace and style. It is a personality that his boss Harry Redknapp has often been keen to champion, praising the lack of headaches that come with working with the Croatian.

Redknapp has been reaching for the aspirin this past summer though. It has actually been quite amusing to see Modric piping up with increasing "courage" about his desire to move to Chelsea, every time he is refused by Spurs ensuing statement through his agent or the Croatian media is flavoured with a little more aggression. It is darling really! Aww, poor Luka!

This is one of those prolonged transfer negotiations that is so frustrating just for the the pointless longevity that it is carried out with.

Spurs are understandably holding firm, not keen to lose one of their best players. But every one has their price, and Redknapp and Daniel Levy would surely be willing to give in to Modric for just the right of money.

Chelsea however seem to be oblivious to the fact that their huge £50 million purchase of Fernando Torres in January has upped the stakes once more.

In a world where Andy Carroll is going for £35 million then Tottenham are going to be looking for a little more than the £27 million Chelsea reportedly offered in their last bid.

Carlos Tevez to Anywhere but Manchester City and England

It is getting harder and harder to keep track of the myriad of reasons why Carlos Tevez wants to leave Manchester City.

The Argentinian dislikes the club's board, then either he or his family don't like the English weather and find Manchester as a city boring. The most common reason seems to be that with his children living in Argentina, he wants to be closer to them.

That would be understandable, but for the fact a move to Spain or Italy seems like it might be appealing to him. Hey Carlos, they ain't a whole lot closer to Argentina; I think Italy might be even a little further away!

It was a problem that seemed to have been negotiated with the prospect of a return to Brazilian outfit Corinthians, but for one reason or another, that deal seems to have bit the dust.

With City reportedly close to securing the signing of Tevez's fellow countryman Sergio Aguero, it seems Roberto Mancini has his replacement all sorted. Unfortunately for Tevez, they may have also priced out potential European suitors of a deal.

While they were happy to let him go a little cheaper to a club the other side of the Atlantic ocean, the prospect of letting Tevez go to one of their European rivals for anything less than £50 million seems out of the question for City. But as long as he has a mouth to complain, this one won't be over yet.

Marek Hamsik to Anywhere

Marek Hamsik has undoubtedly been one of the major reasons behind the resurgence of Napoli in the past few seasons.

Along with the likes of the skillful Argentinian Ezequiel Lavezzi and Uruguayan goal-machine Edinson Cavani, the Slovakian has inspired in the vociferous Neapolitans a joy in their team not felt since the glory days of Diego Maradona.

Those Napoli fans won't be quite as joyful about the near constant speculation linking their midfielder with a move away from the Stadio San Paolo, the latest rumoured destination being that of Serie A champions AC Milan.

Hamsik certainly has all the requirements to make him a tempting prospect for the big European clubs. He is an influential passer, while his movement and attacking instincts combine to make him a useful goal threat, something that has translated into 41 Serie A goals for Napoli.

Chelsea, Real Madrid and both Manchester clubs have all at point or another been linked with Hamsik. Should he light up the Champions League this season as he is capable of doing, get ready for more transfer stories about this guy.

Juan Mata to the Premier League (and Possibly Inter Milan)

To be honest, this is a story that is in its beginning stage, but one that is already getting tiring with each new reported link.

Juan Mata is one of the bright young things of Spanish football (another one! It is indecent how many they seem to have right now!), a label that is naturally tempting a host of Premier League clubs looking to inject their ranks with a little Iberian flair.

Playing for Valencia, a club still not over their financial struggles, means that there will be plenty of interest from teams hoping they can tempt them into cashing in on the World Cup winning star.

You have to feel sorry for Los Che in this respect. Barely a year from having to let go David Silva and David Villa after such a sustained hunt, the Wolves at the doors again already.

As of writing, they are standing firm and look set to keep Mata for this season. But it is not going to get any easier.