The Special One is looking to make the Inter Milan ace his fourth summer addition after completing a deal for Nemanja Matic yesterday.
Spanish outlet Don Balon report Mourinho has ended his interest in Bale temporarily while he tries to sign Perisic.
United have been locked in negotiations with Inter since the end of the season as they try to lower their valuation.
The Serie A side are demanding £46m for the 28-year-old but the Red Devils want to pay significantly less.
Don Balon say that Mourinho reportedly putting his pursuit of Bale in the background could be to get the Wales star to publicly state he wants to leave the Bernabeu and lower his asking price.
United are looking to overhaul their squad as they prepare for a return to the Champions League this season.
Mourinho has already added Victor Lindelof, Romelu Lukaku and now Matic to his ranks.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest rumours, gossip and every done deal
Inter boss Luciano Spalletti is desperate to keep the winger.
He said last week: “There has been no more significant contact in the last few weeks.
“As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing more to say.
“The more days that go by, the more difficult it becomes for us to replace him and therefore I would strongly oppose his departure.”
