Manchester United are interested in acquiring the services of Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.
Several trusted sources, including Sky Sports and the BBC, have revealed that several bids from the Red Devils have been rejected, the most recent of which was £40 million earlier this week.
Inter value their man at £48m and are unwilling budge, something that has led United boss Jose Mourinho to lament the ‘crazy’ nature of this summer’s market.
“I asked for four players, [but] I’m ready to go from four to three because the market is difficult,” Mourinho said at his Manchester Derby presser on Thursday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvXkPN5hGdY
“Some clubs think the market is different from others. We are not a club ready to buy and buy and buy non-stop.
“We are not a club that is ready to pay what the clubs want us to pay, so I’m ready to go from four to three.
“And with this three I just give a better balance to the team, to the squad, it gives us better conditions to compete.”
Two of those players – Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof – have already been confirmed as United players. Whether Perisic will be confirmed as the third or fourth remains to be seen.
Here's 93 seconds video that'll give you a clue as to why Inter Milan want £50m for Ivan Perišić. ?pic.twitter.com/grWaUIdu8P
— Football Stuff (@FootbalIStuff) July 18, 2017
Ivan Perišić isn’t world-class, but he is a good player who would offer actual width to Manchester United’s attacking play. Makes sense.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) July 17, 2017
Inter director Walter Sabatini appeared to confirm that his club had received unsatisfactory offers for the winger on Thursday.
“You all know what Inter is asking for him but the right offer is yet to arrive,” he said when asked about Perisic.
The player has since joined his teammates on their preseason tour of China and Singapore, prompting speculation that the clubs have failed to reach an agreement.
When Mourinho was asked about the Croatian and United’s progress in negotiations, he answered: “No idea. No idea my friend. No idea.”
Jose Mourinho asked if Manchester United are close to signing Ivan Perisic: "I've no idea my friend. No idea." #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtdUpdates_) July 18, 2017
Mourinho gave Woodward the list in April. Perisic & Morata were clearly high priority. Neither have signed.
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) July 18, 2017
Woodward has to take the blame
Other reports suggest that the hardballing Italian club have asked United to include striker Anthony Martial in a player-plus-cash deal for Perisic.
Giggs already eyeing life with Perisic
Ryan Giggs, in the meantime, has encouraged his former club to sign the 28-year-old forward.
The United legend sees it as a way of forcing other attackers at the club, the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, to up their game.
“It can be a boost for all the players,” Giggs told Sky Sports on Tuesday.
“It not only excites the fans but also the players, when a new player comes in.
“If he comes, then the likes of Marcus Rashford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial have to step it up.”