With the acquisition of Victor Lindelof now completed, Manchester United now move on to their next summer transfer window target. They’ve checked off the defender box on their shopping list, with designs next on a winger. According to multiple sources, it’s Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic.
At this point it seems like the two clubs are only in the discussion phase, but it all depends on which outlet you believe. It was reported in late March that United Manager Jose Mourinho had a meeting with Perisic’s agent.
Here’s a quick synopsis of what some of the most recently updated news stories are claiming in regards to the Ivan Perisic narrative. Let’s take a look at the latest headlines.
“Inter Milan have told Manchester United that they will not drop their €55 million (£48m) asking price for winger Ivan Perisic.
United manager Jose Mourinho has identified the Croatia international as a key target in his summer rebuilding programme at Old Trafford, and sources confirmed that the Europa League winners and Inter discussed the player’s valuation earlier this week.”
The ESPN story says that United are only willing to pay £35 million for the player, leaving a £13m gap their between the bid and ask prices.
Meanwhile the Daily Express goes a step further, stating that a general agreement has already been reached:
“Reports claim the Croatia international has already agreed personal terms over a move to United and the Portuguese boss is willing to double his wages to £100,000-a-week.”
The Express link a Manchester Evening News story, one that actually contradicts their claim that of an agreement already being in place. M.E.N. Sport understands
“an agreement has not yet been reached between United and Inter Milan over a fee, but Perisic’s camp do not believe that will prove an issue.”
Perisic, 28, is a versatile player who, in addition to playing on the wing, can also be deployed as an attacking midfielder or second striker. Internazionale signed him to a five-year contract for a transfer fee of €16 million, two days before the 2015 summer transfer window deadline closed.
He spent the previous two seasons with VfL Wolfsburg.
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 to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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