Decision day looming as Newcastle, Chelsea target Ivan Perisic faces Inter deadline
The agent of Ivan Perisic will tell Inter Milan his plans this week amid links with a number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United.
Perisic is approaching the end of his contract with Inter, but the Serie A side would like to keep him for two more seasons. They are yet to find a middle ground over the terms of any new deal, though.
In turn, the Croatian wide man has been linked with a number of next destinations. Newcastle United are in contention to sign him, while Chelsea have been closely linked and Antonio Conte may want a reunion at Tottenham Hotspur.
The coming few days will be decisive for where Perisic will be playing next season. According to Corriere Della Sera, the winger’s agent met with Inter on Monday.
He informed the club that Perisic is fielding offers from several directions. Many are coming from the Premier League, which would be a welcome destination.
With that in mind, Inter have increased their renewal offer to Perisic. Now, they are willing to give him a salary worth an initial €5million per season (about £82,000 per week).
It would mark a slight increase on his current salary of €4.8m per season (in the region of £79,000 per week). Bonuses could top it up to €6m per season (around £99,000 per week).
Perisic’s representative will respond by the end of the week. If he does not accept, Inter will halt their attempts to convince him to stay.
Ivan Perisic wanted by Newcastle and Chelsea
Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic could be on the move to the Premier League with Chelsea and now Newcastle interested
As reiterated by Gazzetta Dello Sport, one of the offers Perisic has received from outside Italy surpasses Inter’s latest financially. A contract worth €6m per season is on the table from somewhere.
Juventus are also believed to be an interested party, along with the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle.
Inter have now asked for Perisic’s decision to arrive by the weekend. Therefore, all parties seem to be on the same page that a resolution, one way or the other, is required soon.
Perisic has plenty to offer
His suitors elsewhere will be watching on with intrigue, in case a window of opportunity soon opens for them to take the 33-year-old.
Despite being in the twilight of his career, Perisic cannot be written off. He has always made at least 30 appearances in each of the six seasons he has spent in Serie A.
He has also proven himself to be a versatile player, operating as a winger, wing-back or attacking midfielder.
Although he has never played in the Premier League before, he has built up plenty of experience in demanding competitions like the Italian top-flight and Germany’s Bundesliga (with Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich).
There is no surprise in the amount of interest in his services for free. If he is seeking a new challenge, a move to Chelsea, Newcastle or Tottenham would be interesting.
If he can be on a five-figure weekly salary, too, he may be an even more useful reinforcement. But some clubs could be willing to invest even more in his services for a couple of years.
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