Ivan Perisic has insisted that he is happy in Serie A, yet has kept the door open for a summer transfer to a “big club”.[spacer height=”30px”]
The Croatian has left the transfer door ajar for Manchester United, with the Inter winger admitting that he would welcome the opportunity to play in the Premier League.The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the Croatian international for some time, with Jose Mourinho first pursuing his signature in the summer of 2017. On the back of an impressive showing at the 2018 World Cup, which saw him net in a final defeat to France, Persic is back on the radar of those at Old Trafford.[spacer height=”30px”]
[spacer height=”30px”]Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to bring Perisic to Old Trafford and the 29-year-old was linked with a switch before signing a new contract.But despite committing to the Serie A club, Perisic admits he’d been keen to test himself in England before he retires.[spacer height=”30px”]
I’m not convinced on Harry Maguire. He’s probably better than a couple of our defenders but I don’t really think he’s the level we need. If Toby is available for 25 mill, he’s probably a wiser move than Maguire at 3 times that. Could leave some funds for Perisic. 👀
— Paul (@yellapiss) August 5, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]Perisic told Sportske novosti when quizzed on his future plans:[spacer height=”30px”]
“Last year I signed new five-year deal with Inter, I enjoy great status at the club. It is true Inter has not had the results it should have since 2010, there were some problems, bad decisions, but somehow I feel we are on the right way to return to old glory. I heard some clubs want me but they have to talk to my club and only after that could I join the negotiations and decide. If I was to change club, it could only be to a top league and top club. Only God knows what will happen in future, I am happy at Inter but we all know anything is possible in football.”
[spacer height=”30px”]Perisic has already been on the books of sides in Ligue 1, the Bundesliga and Serie A and admits that new challenges in the Premier League or La Liga would appeal.[spacer height=”30px”]
[spacer height=”30px”]He added:[spacer height=”30px”]
“Honestly, I would like to test myself in all of the biggest leagues but the question is will I have the time, I am 29 and working to extend my career as long as I can[spacer height=”20px”]
“Yes, I’d like to play in England and Spain but I don’t know if there is enough time left.”
[spacer height=”30px”]While United have led the chase for his services in recent windows, a return to Germany has also been mooted for the former Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg star.Bayern Munich are said to be keen, with Perisic’s fellow Croat, Niko Kovac, now in charge of the Bundesliga champions.[spacer height=”30px”]
Asked about his relationship with Kovac and the possibility of heading to the Allianz Arena, Perisic said:[spacer height=”30px”]
“He had very big influence on me, I played great for Croatia under him and I congratulate him on everything he has done in Germany and signing for Bayern.[spacer height=”20px”]
“Me? If they want me, they know where to find me!”[spacper height=”30px”]
[spacer height=”30px”]Meanwhile, the Premier League giants should have learnt from their Pogba mistake and not let future stars like Adnan Januzaj, Wilfred Zaha more gametime instead of letting them leave the club. Zaha, who scored nine goals in a poor Palace team last season and recorded a better shooting accuracy than Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez last season, represents the Premier League’s equivalent of Ivan Perisic – the forward whose pace, power and directness saw Jose Mourinho try so hard to entice to Old Trafford last summer.[spacer height=”30px”]
[spacer height=”30px”]Quite what would have happened had Zaha been guided into the first team in the pacey winger mould that garnered such success during Ferguson’s reign will never be known, but the 25-year-old knows that he stood little chance at Old Trafford when his debut coincided with David Moyes’ disastrous seven-month tenure at the club.[spacer height=”30px”]
https://twitter.com/naija_loft/status/1026175417508671488
[spacer height=”30px”]The Crystal Palace man, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, was the biggest casualty of the clash of ideologies that has left Manchester United dealing with an identity crisis in the five years since Ferguson’s retirement.[spacer height=”30px”]
[spacer height=”30px”]With United in desperate need of a right sided midfielder, it will be interesting to see whom Ed and Jose choose to sign as the Red Devils look to win their first Premiership since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.[spacer height=”30px”]