Wesley Sneijder has claimed he was close to a move to Man Utd this summer, but is content that the deal never went through.
Sneijder’s future was one of the saga’s of the transfer window, with the Dutchman linked with both Man Utd and Man City, as well as Chelsea, but it was a move to Old Trafford that was thought to be close and the player admits talks did take place:
“I just felt that it was close, yes [I thought I was going],” Sneijder, currently with the Dutch squad on international duty, told AD.
“We had several talks, the situation was such that Inter had to sell a player, Eto’o or me, and indeed there was interest.
“They [Manchester United] are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it did not seem a bad thing – but at the same time I do not want to leave Inter.
“Italy is great for me, and I cannot exclude that they [United] got that feeling, for me a move was not an absolute must and there were a few things which meant it did not happen.”
Towards the end of the window, some reports suggested it was Sneijder’s wage demands that were holding up the deal, something the player denies, while he also revealed he and Sir Alex Ferguson have never spoken directly:
“For me it was not so much a financial issue, my feeling was that I was simply feeling very good at Inter, I love the club but also the Italian culture and the people, it fits me.”
“No, Alex Ferguson and I have never spoken, so far,” he concluded.
