Alex Ferguson wants Sneijder

But it could cost Manchester United £35million to prise the Dutchman away from Inter Milan.

Fergie is desperate to find an attacking midfielder in the Paul Scholes mould.

And although the United boss does not have a huge transfer kitty he sees Sneijder as the ideal player to sit in the 'hole' behind striker Wayne Rooney.

Sneijder, 26, only moved to the San Siro from Real Madrid in a £13m switch a year ago.

Sneijder helped win Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Champions League under Jose Mourinho and has now scored four goals to lead Holland's march to the World Cup semi-finals.

New Inter boss Rafa Benitez might be reluctant to let Sneijder go since he had a fierce rivalry with Fergie during his six years in charge at Liverpool.

But the Spaniard is determined to build his own side at Inter.

He knows unless he brings in his own men, any success will lead to cynics claiming it is still Mourinho's team.

Off-loading Sneijder would also put Benitez in pole position to raid Anfield to sign Javier Mascherano.