Manchester United Transfer News - Sneijder 48 Hours Away from Man United

Manchester United are close to finally signing Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan, according to reports claiming that a deal is just two days away.

Sneijder had suggested that informal talks had begun, and a Daily Mirror report now claims that the two clubs are close to agreeing a fee around the region of £32 million.

United are looking for a replacement for the retired Paul Scholes and Sneijder's name came up as a possibility from the beginning of the summer. Though Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of the club, stated on various occasions that the player was not a target, it was no secret that he was attempting to cool speculation.

Earlier in the week, the Dutch player had admitted that Inter would cash-in on him as the club was hard-up on cash. He was hoping to hold formal talks with United on Thursday, after Holland's friendly against England, but now that the match has been cancelled due to the riots, the 27-year-old is set to seek permission from Inter to begin formal discussions with the English champions.

The Mirror report goes on to suggest that the deal would involve Sneijder earning a weekly salary of a figure nearing £200, 000. The complication here is that due to his tax-free salary at Inter, which sees him earn a cool £250,000 per-week, United's wage structure can only go upto the figure of £180,000.

However, it is understood that the remainder of the figure will be made up with image-rights, which United can afford due to their worldwide popularity. Another suggested plan is that Nike, who sponsors Sneijder and is also Man United's major clothing sponsor, would enhance their deal for Sneijder, backed by United, in order to ensure that their big-name player would move to their biggest club.