In demand: Wesley Sneijder (centre) has long been
linked with Manchester United
Wesley
Sneijder will remain at Inter Milan this summer according to
president Massimo Moratti, who has described the Dutch playmaker as
'untouchable'.
Sneijder has been
linked with a move to Manchester United and revealed at the weekend
he could be sold for the right price after 'unofficial talks' had
begun.
Moratti has,
however, denied those comments, saying there has never been any
such negotiations and that Inter are not interested in selling one
of their key men.
Moratti revealed
his resolve to keep Sneijder has been strengthened further by the
imminent departure of star striker Samuel Eto'o, who is set to join
big-spending Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.
"He goes for the financial fair play and because
when you get an offer like that it's hard to refuse it. The
financial fair play is serious, not a joke: whoever doesn't respect
the parameters will be out of European competitions.''
'There has never
been any kind of talks about Wes,' Moratti told Gazzetta dello
Sport.
'It doesn't
matter whether Eto'o stays put or leaves the club. Sneijder was
untouchable before the situation with Eto'o and he has become even
more so now Eto'o could leave.
'Sneijder is
going nowhere.'
Moratti's
comments come amid reports Sneijder is prepared to slash his wage
demands to force through a move to United.
The midfielder
appeared to have priced himself out a move by demanding £200,000 a
week.
On his way: Samuel Eto'o is set to leave Inter for
Russia
But Sneijder is said to be prepared to
accept £140,000, a wage that would make him the second highest paid
player at United, behind Wayne Rooney.
The Old Trafford club are believed to have
sounded Sneijder out about a possible deal but could not agree
personal terms on the £35million deal.
The Dutchman believed United would return with an
improved offer but has now been forced to relent.
Sneijder claimed last week that he was keen on a
move to United.
He said: ‘Manchester United haven’t made an
official approach yet.
‘But there have been unofficial talks, there have
been contacts. But then there are always contacts.
Exit: Sneijder is believed to be keen to leave Inter
this summer
‘The situation is that I am now an Inter
player, and chances are that I will still be that come August 31.
There is also a chance I could leave.
‘That isn’t really down to me but the club. I
think Inter have been very clear: if a good offer comes in, they
have to let me go.
‘They don’t want to lose me but there is a chance
they will let me go.
‘If something crosses my path, I have enough time
to make my decision.’
Moratti also confirmed speculation regarding the
club's interest in Manchester City's wantaway striker Carlos Tevez,
but believes any deal is unlikely as he instead looks at other
options to fill Eto'o's departure.