Opinion: Why Inter Milan should keep hold of Ivan Perisic

Croatia international Ivan Perisic has been the subject of speculation in this summer’s transfer window with Manchester United, in particular, keen on pursuing his services. However, Inter Milan have managed to ward off the impending interest with the £44m valuation proving too much for his suitors. While the Red Devils remain interested in pursuing the 28-year-old, Inter Milan boss Luciano Spalletti looks to be pleasantly calm over the situation as he predicts that the player would take part in their pre-season tour of China.

Cross-city rivals AC Milan have been splashing the cash for fun after having recruited ten players in the transfer window, but the Nerazzurri have taken the curious approach with most of their spending done during the previous campaign. Nevertheless, the club’s Suning owners have promised further additions this summer as they look to keep tabs with Juventus among others ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Inter recently balanced their books for the financial year 2016/17, and they are in a comfortable position to keep hold of their existing players, who lacked the motivation more than the skill last term. Perisic was the standout performer for the Milan giants last season with 11 goals and eight assists, and losing him could present a huge void on the left side of the attack.

Signed from German club Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015, the Croatian winger has bulked up physically, and his performances at the European championships last summer was a highlight of his progress for both club and country. Perisic managed to present himself as the focal point of attack on several occasions for the Nerazzurri last season, and Spalletti must have set his sights on keeping hold of the winger as he presents confidence and trust while on the playing field.

Perisic has recently missed the pre-season friendly against Nurnberg, but this has nothing to do with the Manchester United link as he had to visit a doctor for a toothache. Both Inter and United look uncompromising in the discussions for Perisic, and it looks fairly likely that Perisic would stay put unless the Red Devils offer a sensational swap deal for the Croatian.

Image – Getty