Report By: Pete South, 5:45pm

The transfer rumour mill has already cranked into life a couple months before the January Transfer Window opens, and it is that man Wesley Sneijder who is apparently the object of Manchester United’s affections once more. Sneijder’s open filtration with United during the summer transfer window gave hope a deal could be done for the Dutchman in time, before Inter Milan shut the door on a potential switch for the 27-year-old midfielder. 

Now United are said to be eyeing up a raid once more for a fee believed to be around £35 Million, although Sportsvibe report that they may face competition for his signature from Barcelona. The same site reports that United are the football betting favourites to see off competition from the Spanish side. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson may be prompted into action after a rocky spell following their lightning start to the Premier League.

With Inter struggling badly in Serie A after a disappointing campaign last time round, Sneijder may be tempted to jump ship and join The Champs as Ferguson continues his search for the man to replace Paul Scholes. The creative hole left behind by the talented midfielder when he retired earlier this year is still felt by United, and while the boss was insistent that Sneijder wasn’t a like-for-like replacement for Scholes, he would add an element of guile.

The Scot has been full of praise for Sneijder in the past, describing him as a 'fantastic player', but may only get his wish if Inter are able to secure a replacement straight away, in Belgian international Eden Hazard, with Arsenal also still interested in the Lille man. Despite the emergence of Tom Cleverley in the centre of the park, Sneijder would experience to the fore, something which is scare in the current central area of The Red Devil's play.