“We are Inter and we can do what we want.”
These were, pretty much literally, the words Luciano Spalletti used to describe the Ivan Perisic situation, with the Croatia international a target for Manchester United this summer.
With the FFP issues now behind them, the Serie A side can basically ask what they want from the Red Devils for the 28-year-old, and that appears to be something between €50-60m.
Here’s a quick round-up of the Italian stories on Monday:
• Tuttosport on Monday relay Spalletti’s words from the weekend, and say Manchester United will need to at least bid €50m to start talks with Inter.
• Gazzetta dello Sport, down their end, say €55-60m is needed to convince the Serie A side to let their star winger go.
• As for Corriere dello Sport, their stance is “above €50m”, which would more than triple their initial investment of €16m in just two years.
On top of ‘doing what they want’, Luciano Spalletti also explained that he and Inter would be surprised if Ivan Perisic were to ask them to leave the club for Manchester United, and only then would they, not anyone else, dictate how much they will sell him for.
It’s pretty simple, really.
It’s a lot of money for someone of his age, but Spalletti would much prefer to have Perisic at his disposal next season than not, meaning they can make it as awkward for interested clubs as possible.
If Manchester United really want him, they’ll have to pay up.
In short: “We are Inter and we can do what we want.”
That, Mr. Ed Woodward, is a challenge.
