It seems like Manchester United have been linked with Ivan Perisic for around 26 transfer windows in a row, but it is a move that always fails to materialise. United have long been reported to have an interest in the winger, but Inter Milan have never been receptive to their advances.
Jose Mourinho coveted Perisic for his entire tenure at the club, with United even offering £50million for his services last summer. While Inter have always been firm in their stance that the player was not for sale, that now may have changed.
Calcio Mercato are reporting that the Italian club are finally open to selling Perisic, and have put a €40million price tag on the Croatian. With the player set to turn 30 next month, they believe now is the time to cash in while they are still able to command a considerable transfer fee.
While it is a lower price than Inter could have sought in the summer, it is reflective of Perisic's current form. After a stellar World Cup where he was one of the driving forces behind his nation's march to the final, the winger has not enjoyed the most fruitful of campaigns thus far. He has found the back of the net only three times in 18 Serie A appearances, completing the full 90 minutes on only nine occasions.
Atletico Madrid are credited with an interest in the former Wolfsburg man, but United's stance is less certain. Under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, a number of players at Old Trafford look rejuvenated. The likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial look like completely different players under his tutelage, with the team scoring goals for fun since the Norwegian took the reins.
Martial was out of favour for much of Mourinho's time at the club, which was one of the main reasons for the interest in Perisic. His upturn in form, and the reported signing of a new contract, may be enough to cool their pursuit of the player.
Investing a major amount of money in a player of his age would be a questionable decision, especially considering the playing resources United already have in that position. It would perhaps be wiser to spend on the defence, which has still looked suspect despite the recent upturn in results.
