• 'We are about to emigrate,' says Yolanthe Sneijder-Cabau • 'Sweet people, we are not leaving Milano,' she tweets later

Anzhi Makhachkala are among the favourites to sign Wesley Sneijder if he leaves Internazionale in January, according to sources in Russia.

Anzhi, managed by the Dutchman's compatriot Guus Hiddink, are understood to have been in talks with Inter after the playmaker's relationship with the club broke down due to a contractual wrangle.

There were mixed messages over Sneijder's future on Friday, with his wife denying she had said he would be leaving the Serie A club.

Yolanthe Sneijder-Cabau was quoted by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Friday: "We are about to emigrate. It should happen in early January and we are looking for a nice place for our family." But she later tweeted that the quotes had been made up, adding: "Sweet people, as far as I know we are not leaving Milano!"

Manchester United came close to buying Sneijder in the summer of 2011. Although United may retain an interest, the club refused to sign him 16 months ago due to his wage demands. Anzi, owned by the billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, would have no trouble paying Sneijder's salary.

If Sneijder were to reduce his wage demands if could rekindle United's interest as he would cost a cut-price €15m (£12.2m). Manchester City may also be interested along with Paris Saint-Germain.

Although Sneijder's three-month absence from the Inter side has been explained as solely a tactical decision by the coach, Andrea Stramaccioni, he was excused training for Christmas early this week despite there being two more games before the winter break.