President Massimo Moratti: Retaining Wesley Sneijder is a victory for Inter

The Italian supremo insists the club had always sought to keep the midfielder from the clutches of the Premier League giants

Inter president Massimo Moratti admits the club's intentions was to keep Wesley Sneijder and is delighted at having done after a move to Manchester United failed to materialize.


"We wanted that [Sneijder to stay] because he is a top-class player," Moratti told reporters in Milan. "He is surely very sought-after, but every time he saw reports in the papers he told me he wanted to stay at Inter. He behaved very well and the team is more confident with him in it."

The Netherlands international was linked with United and he admitted after the transfer window had closed that there had been a chance to join Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

However, Moratti is happy the club were able to hang onto its man despite strong interest from the Premier League.

Inter also secured the services of Lazio's Mauro Zarate on loan for the season.