RUMOUR AND CONJECTURE continue to shape the Wesley Sneijder transfer story as conflicting reports regarding the Dutch midfielder’s future persist.

The 27-year-old’s wage demands were believed to be a stumbling block, with United expected to match the £190,000 he currently earns at the San Siro. However, the Telegraph’s Mark Ogden claims that United are now willing to pay Sneijder the same money he has become accustomed to in Italy.

One thing that most people do seem to agree on is that if he does go, the price will be in the region of £35 million. Whether or not Inter will sell seems to be the major question.

Inter’s technical director Marco Branca said on Tuesday that Sneijder was ‘not for sale’, but it is believed that the decision will ultimately rest with club president Massimo Moratti.

The oil tycoon has a history of pragmatism when deciding whether or not to let top players go, having previously cashed in on Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic when they were at or close to their best.

Perhaps most significantly, Inter require funds to enable new manager Gian Piero Gasperini to bring fresh blood into what is an ageing squad. Palermo’s Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore has already been identified as a potential replacement for Sneijder, and AC Milan’s recent withdrawal from the race to sign him may be enough for the Nerazzurri to let Sneijder go.

Meanwhile, United manger Alex Ferguson has been doing his best to downplay rumours of an imminent transfer. “I keep reading about this,” Ferguson told ESPN. “There’s absolutely nothing at all to that.”

Don’t be surprised to see Sneijder at Old Trafford by next week.