• Serie A

No Man United bids for Sneijder

ESPN staff
July 14, 2012
Wesley Sneijder has long been linked to Manchester United © Getty Images
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Inter Milan boss Andrea Stramaccioni expects Wesley Sneijder to stay at the club but has acknowledged that the midfielder would be sold at the right price.

Following the Treble-winning season of 2009-10 under Jose Mourinho, Inter have adopted a more financially prudent approach to the transfer market as the ramifications of UEFA's Financial Fair Play plan loom.

Club president Massimo Moratti had been willing to cash in on Sneijder, 28, last year, but the sale of Samuel Eto'o to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala eased their financial concerns.

Even so, there has been fresh talk of Sneijder moving on this summer - with Anzhi reported to be eager to sign the Netherlands international - while Manchester United remain a club linked to the Dutchman. Sir Alex Ferguson recently confirmed he will attempt to introduce two new names to his playing staff.

"As far as I know, he is an Inter player and will stay here," Stramaccioni said in La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I haven't had any news to the contrary from the director, the club or the player himself.

"Apart from that, I'm sure that if an offer comes in like that for [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic or Thiago Silva then anyone can be sold, except for [Ivan] Cordoba and [Javier] Zanetti."

While they are looking to retain these and other experienced stars, Inter are looking for Stramaccioni to introduce a greater emphasis on youth, and it appears Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho will be a key part of his plans.

Coutinho, 20, was allowed to join Espanyol on loan last season during Claudio Ranieri's spell in charge at Inter, but Stramaccioni said: "Phillipe is one of the most talented players in this new Inter side. He is very important to us. We often forget that he's only 20 years old. He has matured in Spain and I like him a lot."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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