Ronald Koeman’s Saints set to swoop for Wesley Sneijder

Southampton (odds-on 4/6 with Coral for a top six finish) are reportedly lining up a bid for Netherlands and Galatasaray midfielder, Wesley Sneijder, after reports that he is unhappy with life in Turkey.

Despite making 13 league appearances for the Turkish Super Lig outfit this season, the deadly Dutch international has been subject of speculation linking him with a move to England, and a reunion with compatriot Ronald Koeman at Southampton seems the most probable destination.

The World Cup star has struck four times this term for the Turkish giants, and has been a key player in their climb to second spot in the domestic table, only a single point adrift of leaders Besiktas.

Koeman would relish the chance of signing a player of Sneijder’s calibre, and the Saints coach will know exactly how to utilise the Galatasary talisman’s attacking abilities, having already managed his Dutch counterpart during his career.

Former Real Madrid and Inter Milan attacking midfielder Sneijder was managed by Koeman at Ajax, who gave him his debut, between 2002 and 2005, but the ties go even deeper, as the Dutch pair share the same agent, Guido Albers.

It is believed Galatasaray want the menacing midfielder off their books, with his wages taking up a substantial amount at the club.

Sneijder, who helped his country to a third-place finish at the World Cup finals in Brazil this past summer, has previously been linked with a host of England’s top-flight teams, including Manchester United and current champions Manchester City.

The rumoured Saints target recently scored in his side’s 4-1 Champions League defeat to Arsene Wenger’s superior Arsenal team, and also starred in his current club’s 5-0 thrashing of Konyaspor in his last outing.

Super Lig’s splendid star would be a perfect fit for Southampton, who, after an outstanding start to the season, have faltered in recent weeks with a string of four Premier League losses, including a narrow 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Burnley.

The Saints are 9/2 with Coral to end the campaign within the top four places of the Premier League, and that could be a realistic achievement for Koeman’s men if a January swoop for sensational Sneijder is successful.