Wesley Sneijder Short-Term Manchester United Transfer Expected in Latest Rumours

Rumours of Wesley Sneijder joining Manchester United are almost a biannual event, and it has again been claimed that the highly regarded player will finally become a Red Devil.

Anthony Chapman of the Express says that the midfielder will join Louis van Gaal's Old Trafford revolution in a £15 million deal, with all parties said to be "keen" to complete the transfer "as soon as possible."

But the United coach has publicly ruled out any new arrivals in the January, as the final hours of the current campaign's mid-season transfer window count down.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Speaking frankly, Van Gaal stated his belief that the January transfer window is unfair to many clubs and that he will only be releasing individual players, not purchasing them, as quoted by Richard Jolly of ESPNFC:

"

I don't think it's favourable for the league because it's a little bit unfair. You start a league and then you change your team—the richer clubs can do that and it's not fair for others.

But that's the rule and you can take benefit of it. I read every day that I or United are interested in other players. We only have under contract now Victor Valdes. We gave him a chance. We are only selling players, not buying them.

"

Sneijder has featured heavily for Galatasaray this season, and it is difficult to see why they would let him go at this point.

He has played 17 times in the Super Lig and featured six times in the Champions League, scoring a total of five times in the competitions, per WhoScored.com.

But the player only has two assists for the whole season, suggesting his best days could be behind him and his quality is no longer at the world-class standing it once was.

However, the midfielder is still only 30 years old and could be a good, short-term option for LvG.

Despite the fresh rumours, Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst believes there will be no movement on deadline day at Old Trafford and poked fun at the perennial Sneijder links:

Lars Baron/Getty Images

Sneijder has previously proved himself to be a top-class individual, but surely the boat has sailed for him to join United.

Several seasons ago, he would have been perfect for United in a Sir Alex Ferguson midfield that lacked craft and creativity as Paul Scholes wound down to retirement.

But now the wrong side of 30—and never the most athletic player—Sneijder would struggle in English football and be exploited by the tempo of many of United's opponents.

Van Gaal is in need of a strong midfielder who can add true box-to-box qualities to the squad, but Sneijder is not that player now and will not be at any time in the future.

United need a player like Paul Pogba—a central figure who will not only dominate but will also improve in the coming years.

Pogba would definitely cost much more than the Cimbom midfielder, but he would be the perfect addition in United's new Galactico era.