Sneijder insists he won’t be a pawn in Ronaldo saga

REAL Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder has dismissed suggestions he could join Manchester United as part of a player plus swap deal that would see Cristiano Ronaldo move in the opposite direction, insisting he wants to stay at the Spanish giants.

There have been claims that the Dutch midfielder could be used as bait in Real’s protracted bid to secure the signing of Ronaldo.

Sneijder enjoyed an impressive first season at Real after arriving from Ajax and says he has no plans to leave the Spanish champions.

Instead, the 24-year-old is hoping Ronaldo joins him at the Bernabeu, and that Robinho is also not offered as part exchange for the Portugal international.

“I’d like to comment briefly on the reports and rumours that I might be going to Manchester United as part of some kind of exchange deal,” Sneijder said.

“As I’ve said already, when I left Ajax, all I wanted was to go to Real Madrid. They are the best club in the world. And now that I’m here, all I want is to win as many trophies as I can with them and wear the white shirt for as long as possible.

“The same rumours have been doing the rounds about Robinho. Well, I hope he stays too, and I hope that Cristiano Ronaldo joins us at the Bernabeu.

“In short, I’m flattered to be linked to Manchester United...but it’s not happening. End of story.”

Meanwhile Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has taken a swipe at Real Madrid’s relentless pursuit of Ronaldo, only days before he presides over a meeting of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Rummenigge is unimpressed by the Spanish club’s handling of their desire to sign the Portuguese star and thinks their actions could be bad for the game.

On Monday, the European Club Association (ECA), the body that has replaced the G14, will meet in Nyon, Switzerland and the Ronaldo saga will be the hot topic in the background.

But Rummenigge is not concerned about Manchester United being bullied into allowing the player to leave because of their strong financial footing. “I am not worried about the case because the rules are clear and Manchester United has a very strong contract with the player for the next four years,” Rummenigge said.

“Besides, I know enough about Alex Ferguson to know that if he says no, then that means no.

“Anyway, this is not a question of money for Manchester United. The player and Real Madrid can say what they want, United have the last word and if they say it is not happening then that is that.”

And Rummenigge believes that drumming up a deal through the media and rumours is not a helpful way of conducting business.

“I cannot believe that a club like Real Madrid can force a player like Cristiano Ronaldo to cause such tension, because the price that they will have to pay is too high for everyone,” he said.

“I think that this is dangerous for world football. Each club has to find its own way of dealing with things in these cases.

“This is a situation that only concerns Manchester United, but I would like to see Ronaldo stay at the club for the benefit of everyone.”