Sneijder confirms United talks

Manchester United – Wesley Sneijder admits a deal was on the cards

By Vanessa Keller  September 01, 2011

As the dust settles from transfer deadline day, Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder has revealed that a deal was discussed for him to make the move to Old Trafford this summer.

Sneijder endured a long-standing transfer saga with United during the window, and pundits thought that a last minute agreement might be on the cards for Sir Alex Ferguson.

But 11pm came and went, and the Red Devils maintained a relatively quiet stance in the market. While Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have made at least six signings each, the Red Devils have stuck with just three; Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea.

And while Sneijder appears to be a little disappointed that a move couldn’t go through, the Dutchman insists that Inter Milan is a pretty good consolation prize.

"I have just felt that it came near," Sneijder told NU Sport. "By a coincidence it was not."

"We have held several talks. The situation was such that Inter had to sell Samuel Eto'o or me. And there was indeed interest."

Sneijder will no doubt be on Ferguson’s radar in the coming months, and the 27-year-old says the attention from such a big club has been particularly flattering.

"Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it does not seem so bad. At the same time I did not do away with Inter. I'm in Italy, and that’s also good for me,” Sneijder added.

"For me it was not so much a financial issue. My feeling is simply very good at Inter. I love the club, but also of the Italian culture and people. That fits with me. "

While United have only made three signings this summer, youngsters Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley have returned to the club from loan spells at Sunderland and Wigan respectively. The youngsters have already shown their worth, making great starts to the season.