It seems like the Manchester United-Ivan Perisic saga is not ending anytime soon. The Premier League giants have been hot on his heels for over a month now with no deal materialising whatsoever. United had even started looking at other options facing repeated failures in his pursuit. However, recent reports are now claiming that the deal might finally be happening now as United come close to their pre-season tour.
According to Italian news outlet Premium Sport, the Croatian international has already agreed to personal terms with the Red Devils and in the process, has even rejected an offer of a contract extension from Inter Milan. Mourinho is a long-term admirer of the 28-year-old and believes that his inclusion could almost guarantee United a good finish in the league table next finish.
The report also claims that the player is expected to earn a whopping £6.2m-a-year at Old Trafford following the deal. However, it is Inter’s asking price that is the only remaining block in this deal for United. The Nerazzurri is asking something in the region of £44m for the Croatia international, which Mourinho feels is too much.
Despite bringing in Bundesliga star Henrikh Mkhitaryan last summer, United could hardly see their season improving as they finished sixth in the league table. The Armenian international had a slow start to the season while the other options of Anthony Martial and Ashley Young had underwhelming displays.
Perisic could be a real upgrade over them if he arrives, given his phenomenal display in the Serie A last season. Inter Milan is going through one of their worst patches at the moment with the whole squad hardly performing but Perisic has been a real exception. He managed to score 11 goals and register 12 assists in all competitions for them, although it couldn’t help them finish high in the table.
He plays as a left-winger naturally but can play on the opposite flank as well and his brilliant ability to find key passes from the attacking third is what makes him such a desirable target. He is tremendously effective from the attacking midfield, but this hasn’t been the case always.
Following a good stint at Borussia Dortmund, he was sold by their then manager Jurgen Klopp as he wasn’t a team player. But, it didn’t stop his improvement though as he moved to Wolfsburg in 2013 and became one of the world’s best in his position. He is a complete player in the attacking midfield and would walk into the squad directly.
