Man Utd contact Inter Milan over Ivan Perisic transfer as Solskjaer plans for first major signing

United have been chasing Croatian for past three years without success but reports emerge in Italy that club have made another attempt to bring him to Old Trafford

Posted Thursday, January 24, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

Man Utd contact Inter Milan over Ivan Perisic transfer as Solskjaer plans for first major signing
Manchester United have again been linked with a move for Ivan Perisic

MANCHESTER UNITED have contacted Inter Milan about the availability of Ivan Perisic, it has been claimed.

United have been chasing the Croatian winger for the past three years without succeeding in convincing his Italian club to sell.

But according to Gazetta Dello Sport, officials from Old Trafford have been in touch this month to ask about his availability.

They report that United have made exploratory moves to discover whether Inter would be prepared to do business for the 29-year-old.

Yet unlike in recent years when the Premier League club have been the only side who have been chasing him, the article suggests United would face competition this time round.

Because Spanish side Atletico Madrid have also seemingly been in touch with Inter officials to discover if some kind of deal could be done for Perisic.

Perisic has long been regarded as a top class attacking midfielder having impressed for club and country on a consistent basis over the past few years.

But Inter have always managed to hold off the advances of interested sides - particularly when United were prepared to pay over £40million for his services.

Former manager Jose Mourinho even made trips abroad to watch him in action as the English club stepped up their efforts to sign him, only to come up short on each occasion.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made a huge impact since arriving as interim manager to succeed Mourinho, winning all seven matches in charge.

But he has yet to make a first team signing as the club hold back on making any drastic changes while they consider who will become their next permanent boss.

There is little doubt Perisic has the quality and pedigree to be a success in the Premier League, but Inter would still be looking for at least £40m before they would be tempted to sell.

And whether, at 29, Perisic fits the kind of model the United hierarchy are looking at in terms of player acquisition remains to be seen as he would offer little on-going value in the market.

The form of Anthony Martial since Solskjaer has taken over would also have to be considered, with the French winger now back to his best and looking likely to remain at Old Trafford long term.