Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder claims the sale of Samuel Eto'o to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala ended all prospect of a move to Manchester United.
The 26-year-old Dutch international was the subject of interest from Sir Alex Ferguson during the transfer window and Sneijder admits he thought he was Old Trafford-bound.
Inter, though, sold Eto'o to Russia and went cold on the idea of letting their other big name player leave, leaving Sneijder to remain at the San Siro.
"I had felt that a move was close, yes," Sneijder told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
"We had several talks, the situation was such that Inter had to sell a player, Eto'o or me. There was interest, but due to a combination of things, it didn't happen.
"They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it wasn't a bad option, but at the same time I didn't want to leave Inter. I'm in Italy and it's been great for me.
"I'm not saying I wouldn't have felt the same about United, but for me it wasn't a situation where I felt I had to move, and there were a few factors that meant it didn't happen."
Reports had suggested that Sneijder's unwillingness to drop his financial demands were the main sticking point, but the player insists that was not the case.
He added: "For me it wasn't so much a financial issue. Things are very good at Inter. I love the club and also the Italian people and the Italian culture. It suits me."
Sneijder also admitted that things never went as far to him speaking with United boss Ferguson.
He said: "I never spoke with Alex Ferguson. Talks weren't in such an advanced stage yet. I don't really know why they eventually stopped their attempts to sign me either."
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| Wesley Sneijder admits that he thought he would sign for Manchester United Photo: AP |
The 26-year-old Dutch international was the subject of interest from Sir Alex Ferguson during the transfer window and Sneijder admits he thought he was Old Trafford-bound.
Inter, though, sold Eto'o to Russia and went cold on the idea of letting their other big name player leave, leaving Sneijder to remain at the San Siro.
"I had felt that a move was close, yes," Sneijder told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
"We had several talks, the situation was such that Inter had to sell a player, Eto'o or me. There was interest, but due to a combination of things, it didn't happen.
"They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it wasn't a bad option, but at the same time I didn't want to leave Inter. I'm in Italy and it's been great for me.
"I'm not saying I wouldn't have felt the same about United, but for me it wasn't a situation where I felt I had to move, and there were a few factors that meant it didn't happen."
Reports had suggested that Sneijder's unwillingness to drop his financial demands were the main sticking point, but the player insists that was not the case.
He added: "For me it wasn't so much a financial issue. Things are very good at Inter. I love the club and also the Italian people and the Italian culture. It suits me."
Sneijder also admitted that things never went as far to him speaking with United boss Ferguson.
He said: "I never spoke with Alex Ferguson. Talks weren't in such an advanced stage yet. I don't really know why they eventually stopped their attempts to sign me either."
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