Internazionale’s coach, Luciano Spalletti, insists Ivan Perisic will remain at the San Siro next season, despite the Croatian winger being linked to Manchester United this summer.
Perisic had reportedly been intent on leaving Italy for Old Trafford but Inter have taken him on their pre-season tours and Spalletti now appears unwilling to consider any sale.
Speaking before Inter’s friendly with Chelsea in Singapore, Spalletti said he “strongly opposed” the prospect of Perisic leaving the club in the transfer window. “There has been no more significant contact in the last few weeks,” Spalletti said. “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,” the Inter coach added.
Perisic started the friendly against Chelsea and scored the winning goal in the second half. Inter took the lead in first-half injury time through Stevan Jovetic’s penalty, with Perisic doubling their advantage before the substitute Geoffrey Kondobia’s own-goal provided something for Antonio Conte’s side.
Earlier in the week José Mourinho revealed he was hoping to sign “two more players” including a winger. Speaking before Manchester United’s friendly defeat by Barcelona, he said he was targeting “an attacking player, that can play through the wings to give me more options.”
Perisic appears to fit Mourinho’s requirements but the Manchester United manager may be forced to look elsewhere for a new attacking signing, with the club reportedly also interested in Everton’s Ross Barkley.