Tottenham deserter wants to follow Conte out, as journalist reveals potential next club
A player signed by Antonio Conte has confided in former teammates he’s hoping to leave Tottenham if the Italian departs, according to a journalist.
Conte’s future in north London may well be coming to a close at season’s end. The Athletic recently claimed the Conte era is all but over and that was before Spurs tamely bowed out of the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Conte’s contract is up in the summer and as yet, there’s been no sign of an extension. Whether Tottenham want to retain the Italian and whether the 53-year-old actually wants to remain with the club are as yet unclear.
Sky Sports recently reported members of the Tottenham squad have pleaded with former boss Mauricio Pochettino to return to the club if Conte departs.
Clearly, certain players wouldn’t be all that fussed if Conte were replaced and Sky suggested that moment may even come before the end of the campaign.
If Conte is ousted, doubts will be cast over several players he signed, not least the wing-backs.
Ivan Perisic’s place within the team would come under the microscope, especially if the new manager reverts to a traditional back four.
Perisic, 34, has converted into a left wing-back in the back-end of his career, but transitioning further into an orthodox left-back may be a step too far.
Now, according to Italian journalist Marco Barzaghi, Perisic has secretly confided in his former Inter Milan teammates his desire to leave Spurs and return to the San Siro.
The claims were made by Barzaghi on his YouTube channel and relayed by online outlet SempreInter.
Barzaghi claimed PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi is another pining for a return to Inter after he too has realised the grass isn’t greener after leaving Inter.
Perisic is also understood to be fully aware his standing within the team could quickly diminish if Conte is no longer in charge.
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Perisic wants out, especially if Conte leaves
Barzaghi stated: “He (Perisic) would like to return (to Inter), above all because he expects that Conte will leave at the end of the season, and things could get even more difficult for him.”
The journalist continued: “As with Hakimi, he’s confided to former teammates that he’d like to come back.
“I don’t think that he expected to struggle so much in the Premier League.”
Perisic has provided a hefty nine assists in his 35 appearances for Spurs. However, he’s played a part in Tottenham being well below par from a defensive stand-point this season too.
Perisic’s contract in north London has another year to run after the current campaign. Given he signed as a free agent, a summer sale may appeal to Tottenham who’d make a profit on an older player who might not mesh with a new manager’s formation.
Of course, that scenario would also require Inter being willing to bring the Croatian back.
