Manchester United target Ivan Perisic could be set to stay at Inter Milan after the Serie A club opened negotiations regarding a new contract, report the Manchester Evening News.
United had hoped to conclude a deal for the 28-year-old winger before Inter flew to China for their pre-season tour in mid-July but Perisic was included in coach Luciano Spalletti's squad.
Jose Mourinho said he had 'no idea' about how advanced United's negotiations with Inter, who rejected a £39million bid, were after the Real Salt Lake friendly on July 17 and Perisic has since returned from Asia ahead of the new Serie A season.
Now Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has claimed the Nerazzurri are negotiating an extension to Perisic's current deal, which expires in 2020.
"I don’t understand where some of these stories come from," Ausilio told Mediaset Premium. "[Antonio] Candreva has never been on the market and we have absolutely no intention of selling him.
"The same goes for Perisic, who is an important player and we are currently discussing a new contract with him."
M.E.N. Sport revealed in May Mourinho had settled on four priority signings and United have already brought in Victor Lindelof, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic.
However, Mourinho is also determined to bring in a forward and he nudged executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward during his Dublin press conference on Wednesday.
"As I told a few months ago, I was hoping for four players to improve the squad," Mourinho said after United beat Sampdoria. "And the club did a fantastic job, absolutely fantastic, by getting three of them, which is difficult in the crazy market where we are now.
"To get three out of four, I thank the club for that. I would be happier if they gave me four of four but they did a great effort for me."
Mourinho said in Washington last week he wants 'an attacking player, especially that can play through the wings to give me also more attacking options.'
It is understood United still retain an interest in Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, despite the Welshman and Mourinho's recent public proclamations a switch was unforeseeable. One reason why United were unfussed about Antoine Griezmann's decision to stay at Atletico Madrid was because they would prefer to spend a lavish fee on a more team-focused forward.
Bale's future at the Bernabeu remains uncertain amid the Champions League winners' interest in Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe.