Arsenal ‘conned’ Ivan Perisic, who is also a target for Manchester United, with January transfer talks, as per Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti.
As reported by The Sun, who have quoted his comments to Rai Sport, Luciano Spalletti has made a startling claim surround Ivan Perisic’s links to Arsenal. The Inter Milan manager has insisted that the Gunners ‘conned’ the Croat, who is also being tailed by Manchester United, with talks of a January transfer.
Perisic has been one of the big talking points of just about every transfer window ever since he joined Inter Milan in the summer of 2015. From Chelsea to Manchester United to Arsenal, the 30-year-old has been courted by the who’s who of the Premier League, and for good reason.
Not only has Perisic been a key player for the Nerazzurri, but his exploits for Croatia have been nothing short of exemplary, particularly at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he played a major role in their shock run to the final. And so, over the course of this season, Manchester United and Arsenal have both tried to sign him.
Manchester United have been in pursuit of Perisic ever since the days of Jose Mourinho, who was believed to be a huge admirer of the player’s talents. Indeed, with his ability to play on the right flank, he emerged as a possible candidate to fix the right wing problem at Old Trafford.
Arsenal, on the other hand, were eager to secure the services of Perisic last month, albeit as part of an initial loan deal. The Gunners’ interest stems from the fact that Unai Emery does not have a single natural winger at his disposal, despite the attacking riches he has to choose from.
January signing Denis Suarez has bolstered their attack. But, he still doesn’t reinforce the wide areas as naturally as Perisic can. To that end, Arsenal were eager to land the Croat in a loan deal before signing him permanently in the summer. Perisic had reportedly even handed in a transfer request as news of the North Londoners hoping to make him their second highest earner emerged.
But, Arsenal’s attempts to sign the 30-year-old were foiled. And, Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti has now come out with comments claiming that the Manchester United target was ‘conned’ by the Gunners.
“We’ve got to get Perisic back on track. There was this story on the market, but he is a professional, understands his role and yesterday it was already a very different mood. These things happen in the transfer window, the player received an impressive proposal and was tempted.”
“However, he then realised it was not a true offer, that he’d been conned, and took a step back. Now he’ll resume training and as soon as his mind is back fully on Inter, we’ll let him play.”
The comments from Spalletti are quite damning, with the Inter Milan boss possibly pointing towards the aforementioned reports of Arsenal hoping to make Perisic their second highest earner. The speculation though, has now completely fizzled out, and it looks like Arsenal could turn their attention elsewhere, although it remains to be seen if Manchester United continue to target him in the summer.
