United target Sneijder signs new Inter deal

(GSM) – Internazionale midfielder Wesley Sneijder has committed his future to the European champions by signing a new contract that ties him to the Italian club until 2015.

Sneijder won the treble with the Italian champions and was a star in Netherlands’ side that reached the final of the 2010 World Cup.

But after contract talks had stalled, a host of top European clubs – headed by Manchester United and his previous club Real Madrid – were reportedly interested in signing the 26-year-old.

However, the Dutch star has now revealed a desire to stay at Giuseppe Meazza and Inter president Massimo Moratti has backed Sneijder to win this year’s FIFA Ballon d’Or award.

“Everyone is free to say that someone else must win, but it’s so clear that it will be up to him,” he said. “He launched Inter to the treble win and Holland to the World Cup final.”

Inter team-mate Philippe Coutinho has also backed Sneijder’s claims for the award, telling Il Corriere dello Sport: “I inspire myself to Sneijder and he will win the Ballon D’Or. He deserves it without a doubt. He was extraordinary in the Champions League.”

According to the ANSA news agency, Sneijder’s new contract is worth in the region of €5 million per season.