Inter and Manchester United 'in talks' over sensational €40m Wesley Sneijder deal

Wesley Sneijder - Inter 

EXCLUSIVE 
By Salvatore Landolina

Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder is moving closer to a sensational €40 million transfer to Manchester United as both clubs have begun talks over a switch to Old Trafford,Goal.com understands.

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• Why Inter's appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini could hasten the exit of Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder

The Italian outfit have informed their English counterparts that they can land the 27-year-old playmaker for €40m, while Sneijder himself is 'intrigued' by the possibility of a move to the Premier League.

While the Red Devils have yet to formally submit a bid, Inter have accepted that the Dutchman is on his way out of San Siro, and be could be willing to let him go for as low as €34m, Goal.com have learned.

"United have increased their interest over the past 48 hours. The clubs are now in talks, but they will have to agree a fee," a source close to the discussions told Goal.com.

"Inter know his value, so they are aiming for £35m (€40m), £30m (€34m) at a push. They are ready to sell him, but only under their economic conditions. He is not a player they consider unsellable. The next move is down to United. If they satisfy Inter's requests, then Sneijder will be playing for United next season."

Sneijder believes a move to the Premier League champions could offer him the chance to add to an already impressive career tally which includes domestic titles in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, in addition to a Champions League-winners' medal in 2010.

"He knows he would have better chances of winning things at Manchester United compared to Inter, especially on the international front," the source added. "Sneijder is intrigued by the Premier League and he wants to try a new experience there. He can speak fluent English and so he would have no problems settling down."

The former Real Madrid man has indicated that he wants a move to Sir Alex's Ferguson's side, but has not publicly spoken of his desire to leave in order to avoid the ire of Inter fans. He has a contract at San Siro which expires in 2015 and would be content to see out his terms if a transfer fails to materialise this summer, hence his reluctance to push for a move in the public eye.

"Wesley is trying to make it seem that it was Inter who wanted to sell him, rather than have people thinking he was the one who wanted to leave," the source continued. "At the moment he does not want to say much as he doesn't want to upset the Inter fans.

"But if Inter and United reach an agreement, then he would be delighted to join them. He said he would be sorry to leave Inter, but in reality he would not be sorry. Sneijder is not pushing to leave, but neither is he against an exit."

New Inter head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has yet to stamp his mark on his squad and would have the proceeds from a possible Sneijder sale at his disposal for new arrivals.

"Thirty-five million [pounds] is enough to convince [Inter president Massimo] Moratti to sell Sneijder, and he will then spend part of the money for a top left-back, as Gasperini wants a player for this position."

Nonetheless, Inter director Marco Branca maintains that no deal for Sneijder to leave is in place.

"Sneijder will not be sold," he told assembled reporters at the unveiling of new signings Luc Castaignos and Ricky Alvarez.

Champions League finalists United are embarking on a significant summer rebuilding campaign of their own. Sir Alex Ferguson has already signed David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young, but is still seeking replacements for outgoing central midfielders Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes.

The Manchester United manager confirmed on Tuesday that he was no longer in the market for Arsenal's Samir Nasri but was hoping to bring in a creative midfielder.

"If we can get a player along similar lines [to Paul Scholes] in terms of the quality of his passing and vision, then yes we'd have to do something," Ferguson stated
.