Sneijder admits interest in United switch

WESLEY SNEIJDER has confirmed he would like to join Manchester United and suggested “unofficial talks” have taken place with the Barclays Premier League champions.

Inter Milan star Sneijder has been linked with a move to Old Trafford all summer and revealed at the weekend he could be sold for the right price.

The 27-year-old is also reportedly on the radar of Manchester City but he appears to be more interested in their arch-rivals.

Asked if he was keen on a move to Manchester United, Sneijder said: “Yes, but Manchester United haven’t made an official approach yet. There have been unofficial talks, there have been contacts, but then there are always contacts. I have contacts with everybody.”

United boss Alex Ferguson has denied making a contract offer to Sneijder, who insisted it was more likely he would stay with Inter than leave before the transfer window closes.

He said: “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.”

Sneijder was speaking before the Netherlands’ friendly against England tomorrow was cancelled.

Asked whether he was planning to stay behind in the UK for talks, he said: “I don’t know.”

Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed how years of watching Arsenal on television helped him secure his £15 million move to the Emirates Stadium.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had long been linked with the Gunners, finally completed his transfer from Southampton on Monday.

And the attacking midfielder, who turns 18 on Monday, explained after signing his long-term contract how years of studying the way Arsenal play under Arsene Wenger influenced his own game.

“I’ve never really been a mad fan of anyone but Arsenal definitely were one of the teams I’ve always followed,” he said. “I think that’s the best way to learn to play football, watching the boys play at Arsenal.”

No player inspired Oxlade-Chamberlain more than his new club’s all-time top scorer, Thierry Henry.

“As I was growing up, he was always star man on Match of the Day,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said of the former Arsenal captain. “All the highlights were basically of him because he was always scoring, week in, week out. The goals he scored were fantastic and the play he created around him with the rest of the players, it was just exciting to watch.”

Elsewhere, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have been included in Arsenal’s Champions League squad for their play-off round tie with Udinese.

It is understood the Gunners have named both midfielders in their 25-man A-list for this month’s two-legged clash, despite intense speculation both are set to leave. Were either to feature in the contest, they would be cup-tied if they were then to complete respective moves to Barcelona and Manchester City.

That would seriously reduce their value to their potential new employers, who would be reluctant to pay huge fees for the players.