Sridhar Bhamidi
One way or the other, within a week, we will see the result of the Ivan Perisic transfer saga. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been tracking him all summer and wants to make him his fourth signing of this transfer window.
United have already had a couple of bids for the Croatian international rebuffed as the Serie A side are holding out for their asking price. Now, latest reports point that Inter have given up to eight days for United to lodge a suitable bid and sign the player, failing which, the player will be taken off the market.
As stated by Tuttosport (h/t The Express), United have a deadline of next Friday to reach a conclusion on the matter.
What Is The Current Situation?
Inter are adamant on their valuation of £48million for the player and United find it too high. The Serie A club have also put forth another proposal of £42million plus a loan move for Anthony Martial. This was also rejected outright by Old Trafford chiefs.
Martial was not central to Mourinho’s plans last season but his pre-season form has been satisfactory and the manager feels he could be a vital squad player. Unless there is a strong change of heart from Mourinho, Martial may not be involved in the deal.
Why Are Inter Setting A Deadline?
To be fair, Inter have to set their own priorities and want this tale to end. Their Serie A campaign gets underway on August 20 and new manager Luciano Spaletti wants Perisic’s future to be resolved before that. He doesn’t want to sell the 28-year-old although the winger has maintained his desire to work under Mourinho. The San Siro club want to have enough time on their hands to spend the cash from his sale and wisely so.
Another factor to this story is Chelsea’s chase of Antonio Candreva. Inter are in discussions for a swap deal involving Andreas Christensen with the London-based club. If they lose Candreva, they may be reluctant to let another winger go in the same transfer window.
All said and done, the ball is firmly in our court to stump up the requested cash or include Martial’s loan in the deal. The fee is exorbitant but the transfer market these days is hugely inflated.
What do you think? Will we sign Perisic this summer?
