Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly set to renew his interest in Croatia’s star attacking duo Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic.
Daily Mirror are speculating that Jose Mourinho is set to ask Manchester United vice-chairman Ed Woodward to make a move for either of Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic. The manager was interested in the star attacking duo from Croatia in the summer transfer window before the club failed to land either of them.
Jose Mourinho’s frustrations from Manchester United’s poor transfer business this past summer has been quite well documented. A centre-back and a right-sided winger were reportedly on the agenda for the Portuguese, with a bevy of superstars named in widespread reports in the duration of the transfer window.
In the end though, any move for either position failed to materialise, leaving Mourinho a very unhappy man, which seems to be resonating to an extent in the results on the pitch so far this season. But, if certain suggestions are anything to go by, the Manchester United board is ready to back the manager with the required funds in the January transfer window.
With that in mind, Mourinho is turning his attention back to a star attacking duo who were the subjects of interest for the Manchester United boss in the summer transfer window. Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic are on the manager’s radar once again, with Mourinho eager to boost his options in the final third.
Perisic, in particular, has been a long-term target for Manchester United, who even had their eyes on him in the summer of 2017. A consistent performer for both club and country, the player could be the experienced head in the dressing room that can help in tough situations while also providing width in the final third.
Rebic, like Perisic, is an attractive target for Mourinho with his ability to play across the width of the pitch. At 25, the Croat could also be a long-term option, who can score goals on a consistent basis, which is also what Manchester United need to take some pressure off Romelu Lukaku.
What could throw a spanner in the works for Mourinho once again though, is the fact that Manchester United do not consider Perisic to fit in the profile of players they want to pursue, which renders his price tag slightly prohibitive, even though the player has alluded towards his desire to play Premier League football.
As far as Rebic is concerned, a reported £40 million valuation was deemed unreasonable in the summer. But, it remains to be seen if Manchester United are willing to shell out the required sum in January.
What is clear though, is that the Premier League heavyweights do need an injection of pace, creativity and goals in the final third, which the star attacking duo can provide. But, Jose Mourinho is set to demand the signing of either of the Croats, and it will be interesting to see if Manchester United end up paying heed to his wishes, at long last.
