By Dave Marshall
Jose Mourinho is desperately becoming frustrated in the race for Ivan Perisic, as the Portuguese manager is keen to sign the Croatian international, as he views him as a key ingredient in the potential title chase for next season
According to a report by Daily Star, Ed Woodward has been tasked with the challenge of getting Perisic by all means, as he is now Mourinho’s priority signing. Inter Milan sporting director, Piero Ausilo has stated that the club hasn’t received any offers for the former Wolfsburg man and that he remains a key part of boss, Luciano Spaletti’s plans for next season.
United finished sixth on the Premier League log last term and often struggled to break down lesser teams – especially at Old Trafford – who come with the intent of playing negatively. The likes of Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard complemented the efforts of Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but Jose is keen on a direct player who can dribble from the flanks, stretch the defence and putting in quality crosses for strikers to put in the back of the net.
Despite Woodward being called clueless by sections of United fans in the David Moyes era, he has rebuilt his reputation as a top-level executive that can get any player, with a number of high profile arrivals in the last 3 years. United are now known to spend money to compete and will make an increased offer for Perisic in time before the Italian giants embark on their pre-season tour of China on Tuesday.
Despite Inter struggling badly last season, Perisic remained a consistent performer, scoring 11 goals and creating 9 assists for the ‘fallen’ Italian giants, who finished seventh in the Serie A last season, outside the European places.