Sneijder thought he would sign for Man Utd

But Sneijder insists that the reason why the move did not happen was not the finances.

“I just felt that it was close, yes [I thought I was going],” Sneijder told AD.

“We had several talks, the situation was such that Inter had to sell a player, Eto’o or me, and indeed there was interest.

“They [Manchester United] are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it did not seem a bad thing – but at the same time I do not want to leave Inter.

“Italy is great for me, and I cannot exclude that they [United] got that feeling, for me a move was not an absolute must and there were a few things which meant it did not happen.”

He continued: “For me it was not so much a financial issue, my feeling was that I was simply feeling very good at Inter, I love the club but also the Italian culture and the people, it fits me.”

Sneijder insists he never held talks with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

“No, Alex Ferguson and I have never spoken, so far,” he concluded.