With the blockbuster acquisition of their main target Romelu Lukaku now complete, Manchester United move on to their next summer transfer window target. They’ve checked off the defender (Victor Lindelof) and striker (Lukaku) boxes on their summer shopping list, with the focus now shifting to winger.
According to multiple sources, the target is Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic. United Executive Vice President Ed Woodward did not fly with the team to Los Angeles to begin the United States preseason exhibition tour. In years past, Woodward has joined the squad on these international tours, so this is a deviation from the norm.
According to many of the tabloids, he’s staying back in order to close deals for Ivan Perisic and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier. Acquiring the Spurs stalwart could be a challenge, but that’s another whole story. Getting back to Perisic, Mourinho wants reinforcements in the attacking midfield, apparently not totally sold on what he has behind Lukaku/Marcus Rashford in the grouping of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and company.
It’s been reported that both teams want the deal done before Internazionale fly out to China for their own pre-season tour next Tuesday, and they are asking about £49m for the attacking midfielder.
According to The Guardian: “It is understood United price the Croat at closer to £40m and so the fee may be about £45m. Luciano Spalletti, the Inter manager, wants the player to stay but Perisic is intent on a move to Old Trafford.”
It was reported in late March that Mourinho had a meeting with Perisic’s agent.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV.
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