Wesley Sneijder claims he was 'close' to joining Manchester United

Holland midfielder denies wage demands blocked transfer
'Internazionale's sale of Samuel Eto'o scuppered move'
Wesley Sneijder
Inter Milan's Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder admits he was close to joining Manchester United. Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images

Internazionale's midfielder Wesley Sneijder has claimed that he was "close" to joining Manchester United this summer. It had been rumoured for weeks that the Holland international was set to move to Old Trafford.

"I had felt that a move was close, yes," Sneijder said to the Dutch newspaper AD. "There were talks on several occasions. "The situation was that Inter had to sell a player - [Samuel) Eto'o or me. There was interest, but due to a combination of things, it didn't happen." Inter sold the Cameroon forward to the Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, leaving Sneijder to remain at San Siro.


Sneijder joined Inter from Real Madrid in 2009 and helped the Nerazzurri win the European Cup, Serie A and Coppa Italia in his first season in Milan. "For me it wasn't so much a financial issue," he said. "Things are very good at Inter. I love the club and also the Italian people and the Italian culture. It suits me."