Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s interest in signing Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan last summer was widely reported. Unfortunately for the player and the Portuguese tactician, the deal didn’t take shape after the two clubs failed to agree a fee.
The Croatian international signed an extension and continued with his life at the San Siro. Just as many United fans thought Persic chapter was left behind last summer, the rumour linking the winger to Old Trafford is back again.
Calciomercato reports Mourinho’s interest in Perisic has “remained intact”. Inter had asked about signing Anthony Martial last summer and their interest in the France international is also believed to be “intact”.
United and the Nerazzurri may now see, and this could be Calciomercato speculation, if there’s an option of a swap deal that will involve Perisic and Martial.
Luciano Spalletti also wanted to retain Perisic last summer, who has scored 11 goals and registered eight assists in the league after a difficult start to this season. Should United make an approach for the 29-year-old, Inter are now likelier to allow him leave.
The Premier League side made an offer of €33m for Perisic, which was turned down by Inter. An offer higher than that can see the Italian club sanction their player’s sale, but it will also include Martial as a part of the deal.
It’s claimed the idea would see Inter sign Martial on loan with an option to sign him on a permanent transfer. His contract at United will expire in 2019 and for the swap deal to take place, the United winger should first agree a contract extension. There’s an option at Old Trafford to extend Martial deal by a year, but that doesn’t get much attention in Italian reports.
Now, why would a player who has one year left on his contract sign an extension so that he can go out on loan and then join a club on a permanent transfer a year later? It may be an idea to help Inter stay on the right side of FFP, so they can defer the payment, but also try Martial before they decide to buy him.
This rumour was inevitable.
