
By Dave Marshall
Inter Milan manager, Luciano Spaletti has stated that the club may be willing to let wantaway winger, Ivan Perisic leave the club this summer. The 28-year-old Croatian international has been the subject of a long drawn transfer chase by Jose Mourinho all summer, as the Portuguese manager continues to look for reinforcements to bolster his ranks ahead of what promises to be a pivotal season next campaign.
Both clubs have refused to reach a compromise as per the transfer fee, with the Italian club holding out for close to £50m, but The Red Devils are only willing to do a little over £40m.
Perisic has travelled to Asia as part of the Nerrazzurri’s sqaud for the Far East pre-season tour, and impressed sufficiently as Inter decimated Bayern 2-0 today in an International Champions Cup match, despite speculation about his future. The former Wolfsburg man has never hidden his intention to test himself on a bigger stage, and sees United as a big upgrade on his current team.
Speaking after the game, Spaletti fielded questions about whether his star man would be at the club next season. He said: “I can’t say for sure whether we can keep him or not”
I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a world-class player. Whether he plays well or not [in pre-season], that will not change my mind”.
“Our intention is to keep him if possible,” he was quoted as saying via fourfourtwo.
United finished sixth on the Premier League log last season as they struggled to breakdown smaller teams who sat deep against the 20-time English champions. Perisic is a quality winger known for his directness, pace and crossing ability that will offer more bite to United’s attack once signed. He will be of great help to new record signing, Romelu Lukaku who demands crosses at will from his teammates.