Rome: A Manchester United delegation led by chief executive David Gill has flown to Milan to finalise a deal for Wesley Sneijder.
The United officials arrived in Italy on Tuesday for a first meeting with the Inter directors and remained in Milan on Wednesday as negotiations continue to bring the 27-year-old playmaker to Old Trafford.
Although Inter technical director Marco Branca has insisted that the Dutchman "is not for sale", Goal.com understands that this is part of the club’s strategy to ensure the player is sold for the maximum fee and if United meet the Italian club’s £35 million valuation then Sneijder will be free to discuss personal terms with the Premier League champions.
Sources close to the negotiations say a resolution could be found as soon as new Inter manager Gian Piero Gasperini has told the Inter hierarchy that he does not see the Holland star as indispensable.
"A delegation of United directors have arrived in Milan and they have already met with a delegation of Inter directors," an insider told Goal.com. "There was a meeting between both parties.
"United, it seems, are very much intent on taking Sneijder, and if they meet the evaluation then they will get him and the deal will happen.
"This transfer is destined to be resolved, in one way or another, in just a short matter of time. It's in the interests of both parties to come to a resolution soon, and I don't think the talks will drag on for months and months."
Inter exit?
Wesley Sneijder is keen on a move to Old Trafford.
Sneijder believes a move to Old Trafford could offer him the chance to add to an already impressive medal haul which includes domestic titles in Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, in addition to the 2010 Champions League.
The former Real Madrid star has privately indicated that he wants a move to Sir Alex's Ferguson's side, but has not publicly spoken of his desire to leave in order to avoid angering Inter fans. He has a contract at San Siro which expires in 2015 and would be content to see it out if a transfer fails to materialise this summer, hence his reluctance to agitate in public for a move.
Although Sneijder’s wage demands could delay any transfer, given the complexities of signing-on fees and image rights, it is significant that Gasperini, who will field a new 3-4-3 formation next season, is willing to allow the Dutchman to leave so he can bolster his squad in other areas. A top left-back is one of the main priorities for the Inter coach.
"There is no place for Sneijder in Gasperini's 3-4-3," the source added. "From a technical point of view the player is not considered someone they cannot do without.
"What Branca said is just the Inter transfer strategy. They would rather say Sneijder is not for sale, than confirm he is. It is just a marketing ploy.
"Sneijder is a top level player and so Inter are trying their best not to undersell him or give him away."
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