That's not my recollection at all.
As I remember it, Inter were pissing about with an initial loan offer, then something like £12M, which was then increased but was spread over a number of years, until they eventually stumped up the asking price.
If any basis to reports from that period, for once, I take the side of United's board in getting a fair price.
And I definitely remember seeing interviews with Solskjaer where he spoke about a new signing replacing Fellaini, and also needing to sign a replacement for Herrera....Although I'm buggered if I can now find it....!!!