Manchester United boss was pictured in Croatia yesterday, to close a deal for Inter star Ivan Perisic. The Croatian International is valued at £35 million and the Manchester United boss seems to be taking steps to beat his competitors to the signing of the striker.
The Manchester United boss reportedly flew to Zagreb to hook up with long-time pal and transfer mastermind Predrag Mijatovic. However, he did not go to Croatia to watch Perisic in action for his country.
Jose Mourinho has previously sealed few deals with the help of Predrag and the pair have been successful in their previous adventures. Predrag was instrumental in bringing Croatian superstar Luka Modric to Real Madrid when Jose Mourinho was the manager at Santiago Bernabeu.
Predrag was also crucial in bringing Nemanja Matic back to Chelsea for the second time when Jose took over at Stamford Bridge. Now, Mourinho is hoping that his old partner in crime would help in sealing a £35 million for Inter star Ivan Perisic.
Here, more photos of Jose #Mourinho in Zagreb, Croatia. [src index.hr] pic.twitter.com/UqR7ReQY1k
— Ivan Žeželj (@izezelj) March 24, 2017
Mijatovic is not the only one working with the Red Devils on the project to sign Perisic. Super agent Pini Zahavi and his trusty partner Fali Ramadani are also on board.
Perisic recently split with his long-term representative. Zahavi and Ramadani are said to have promised him to deliver a move to Old Trafford. However, it is Mijatovic on whom the United boss is relying to do the business for the third time in the last five years.
After an illustrious playing career which included ending Real Madrid’s 32-year wait for the European Cup, where he scored the winner in 1998 final, Mijatovic became an agent. From 2006 to 2009, he was sporting director at Real before becoming a ‘Mr. Fix-it’ in the Balkans and beyond.
Jose Mourinho in Zagreb, Croatia today. Regarding discussing potential transfers for Croatian players [Index.Hr] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/9xS2uQ7xVz
— Manchester United (@ManUtdUpdates_) March 24, 2017
Mijatovic was instrumental in the extraordinary 2011 deal which saw Samuel Eto’o join Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala from Inter Milan and become the world’s highest paid player.
In an interview that year with Vijesti, a newspaper in his native Montenegro, Mijatovic said: “Professionally, Mourinho is a fanatic. He is absorbed in football 24 hours a day, for him there are no secrets, nothing unknown, he monitors all leagues and players. For me he is the best coach in the world.
He added: He’s won titles in four different championships, which speaks volumes about him and his methods of work. As for Mourinho privately, he is not only fair and correct but he is a friend of his friends. Only when you meet him do you realise there is absolutely nothing in those stories of him being arrogant.”
Perisic, 28, can play as a winger, secondary striker and also as an attacking midfielder. Such versatility is sure to add to Manchester United’s unbelievable quality available in the squad. It will be interesting to see if Mourinho manages to seal the deal for Ivan Perisic.
Do you think Perisic will end up at Old Trafford this summer?
