Sneijder: Deal with United was close

Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder has admitted that he felt that a move to Manchester United was a realistic option during the transfer window.

Sneijder did not speak with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to discuss a potential deal, with the Netherlands international’s proposed transfer eventually falling through.

“There was definitely interest. For a while, I had a feeling that a transfer [to Manchester United] was pretty close. We discussed it a number of times, but the move eventually didn’t go ahead,” Sneijder told Algemeen Dagblad.

“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.”

Despite the failed move, the playmaker said he was more than happy to stay with Inter.

“Manchester are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so of course I was open to a move. Nevertheless, a transfer was not a must for me. I’m happy to stay at Inter and I’m feeling very well in Italy,” he said.

“Perhaps Manchester United also got the feeling that I didn’t really want to leave Inter.”

Sneijder is currently in the Netherlands with the national side to prepare for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against San Marino on September 2 and against Finland four days later.