Sneijder: I want to stay at Inter

Posted on | Tuesday, July 12, 2011 | No Comments

Wesley Sneijder has warned his potential suitors that he only leave Inter this summer if the club decides to sell it.

The Holland international is estimated at 35 million pounds and was strongly linked to the abandonment of San Siro.

Manchester United, Liga side Malaga lead the chase to acquire their services.

"I want to stay," Sneijder said in an interview in July in the Italian edition of Vanity Fair. "I have great teammates.

"(Inter captain Javier) Zanetti has an extraordinary character, that kept us together, even at a time when morale was low.

"My wife and I Yolanthe Inter, the Italian fans and Italy.

"Of course, if the club decided to sell me, I will go where they tell me to go. But I would be disappointed.

"We feel very comfortable here that I would miss the city of Milan and Inter.

"But that's football. When it was sold by Real Madrid to Inter, I would rather stay in Spain.

"Whatever will be will be."

Sneijder joined Inter from Real Madrid in 2009 and helped the Nerazzurri win the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup in his first season at Milan.

The former Ajax star has been limited by injury to just four goals in 25 league games for Inter last season.

Inter finished second in the series, but won the Italian Cup.

New Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini 27 years expected to stay put.

Gasperini, who replaced Leonardo earlier this month at the helm for the Nerazzurri were impressed by Sneijder positive attitude during the Inter Pre-season training in Pinzolo, Val Rendena valley.

Gasperini, "Sneijder is a great player, a great player.

"His focus has been more than positive.

"It is here (Pinzolo) and he wants to stay with us."

Sneijder has a contract with Inter until June 2015.

Meanwhile, Inter are on the verge of signing Brazilian full-back Jonathan Santos.

The 25-year contract with the South American side for three seasons, but has a release clause set at 15 million euros.

When asked about the possible arrival of Jonathan, Gasperi said: "His arrival is imminent."

Jonathan won the Copa Libertadores with Santos just seven months after joining the club Cruzeiro.

It is considered a potential replacement for Inter defender Maicon, who has been linked in recent months with a move to Real Madrid.