Bharath Rammr
Manchester United may have just concluded the long-standing pursuit of Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic, as the Sun reports that a £40million fee has been agreed for the transfer of the 28-year-old. The Croatian winger was one of the first transfer targets for Manchester United in the summer transfer window, but United have refused to pay the transfer fee demanded by Inter Milan up until now.
United were expected to sign several players in the summer transfer window, but it is understood that manager Jose Mourinho is extremely unhappy with the amount of transfer activity. It was one of the reasons behind United agreeing a £75million deal for Romelu Lukaku. The same situation appears to be repeating with regard to Perisic, as United seem to be ready to pay an incredible sum of money for a 28-year-old.
The £40million transfer fee will represent a significant outlay from the club, and it would allow Inter Milan to complete a deal for Lazio forward Keita Balde. There have been reports about Inter Milan being interested in the possibility of a loan deal for Anthony Martial in exchange for allowing the transfer fee demands of Perisic, but it is understood that Jose Mourinho was not keen on letting the French striker leave Old Trafford.
The Inter Milan winger is expected to sign a £100,000 per week contract as agreed several months ago. Perisic will provide a United with a significant thrust up front.
Now that the transfer is on the verge of completion, United officials are expected to switch their attention to Nemanja Matic. The midfielder has been left out of Chelsea’s pre-season tour, and he is widely expected to leave the club in the next few weeks. However, the emergence of Italian interest – especially Inter Milan – does change the dynamics of the situation. Only a few weeks ago, it was believed that United were in pole position to sign the 28-year-old, but the transfer of Lukaku appears to have angered Chelsea.
Even though the blues have brought in a replacement for Matic in the form of Tiemoue Bakayoko, the club are not ready to sell Matic to one of the direct title rivals.
