Arsenal are reportedly ready to make Manchester United target Ivan Perisic their second highest paid player in the wake of the Croat handing a transfer request.
According to a report by The Sun, Ivan Perisic has submitted a transfer request to Inter Milan amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester United. Meanwhile, the Gunners are prepared to make the Croat their second highest paid player by handing him a lucrative £250,000-a-week deal.
Perisic has been one of the most important players for Inter Milan, ever since his move from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015. In around four years or so, the player’s stock has only risen, before he reached the heady heights of superstardom in the aftermath of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, wherein he played a key role in Croatia’s run to the final.
His exploits with Inter and Croatia have attracted Manchester United among other clubs, although the Red Devils have not managed to get hold of their target so far. The pursuit has become even more tricky now, with Arsenal joining the race to sign Perisic.
At Manchester United, everything seems to be going hunky dory under the tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But, the fact that they still lack a player who is naturally adept at playing on the right flank means the resurgent English giants have reignited their interest in Perisic, although they are reportedly ready to wait till the summer to launch the offensive.
But, Manchester United could well be forced into action this month, with Arsenal plotting a loan deal for the 29-year-old, with Unai Emery eager to bolster his wide options.
Currently, the Arsenal boss has no natural winger at his disposal, as a result of which he has had to field several players in makeshift wide roles. Emery has even shuffled his system to bring the best out of the men he has at his disposal at present, with the full-backs being relied on to supply the width.
But, Hector Bellerin’s season-ending injury means those plans are in jeopardy as well now. Perisic is thus, a viable target for Emery to revert to his original formation. To that end, Arsenal are plotting a loan move for the Croatian international in a bid to beat Manchester United to his signature, before signing him on a permanent deal in the summer.
Arsenal have now received a major boost in his pursuit, with Perisic handing in a transfer request to force through a move to Emirates. The Gunners seem to have tempted the Croat by reportedly offering him a £250,000-a-week deal, which would make him the second highest earner at the club.
But, convincing Inter to agree to a deal is now proving to be the only obstacle for Arsenal. While the North Londoners want to include an option to buy Perisic for around £35 million, the Nerazzurri want to tweak the terms slightly and leave the Premier League heavyweights with an obligation to sign him permanently, although they would still prefer to sell this month.
The latter does not seem to be an option, which means the possibility of a deal now depends on the slight change in the condition to buy in the summer. That Perisic is eager to move does provide Arsenal an advantage, while Manchester United are unlikely to make their move. It now remains to be seen if the Croat makes his way to Emirates this month, or if the deal never sees the light of the day.
