Ivan Perisic closing in on Manchester United move as Inter Milan look to Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero
Italians are preparing to splash the cash earned from sale on playmaker but Old Trafford chiefs are short of asking price
MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on signing Ivan Perisic as Inter Milan eye a replacement.
Old Trafford chiefs had almost given up on landing the Croatian star after being put off by a £45million-plus price tag.
But the attacking midfielder, 28, came back onto their radar after instructing his agent to engineer a move.
United are growing increasingly confident they can land a cut-price deal for one of Jose Mourinho’s top targets.
And it appears Inter are preparing for Perisic’s departure, with claiming they are stepping up their pursuit of Fiorentina’s Borja Valero.
The veteran Spanish playmaker, 32, would be the first midfield arrival in Milan this summer – paving the way for his team-mate to leave.
While rivals Manchester City set to work quickly, United have been slow off the mark this summer.
Victor Lindelof has arrived in a £31m deal but three other priority signings – including Perisic – are still to be completed.
Executive vice-chairman Woodward has been working hard to get the deals done but has come up against stubborn clubs and indecision from some players.
Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is expected to join after coming back from holiday on Thursday, however.
And with Chelsea closing in on Monaco starlet Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Conte should sanction Nemanja Matic’s £40m exit soon.
Mourinho was concerned at a lack of activity just a week before his players return for pre-season.
And some frustrated fans took to social media to ask why Woodward was in New Zealand watching the Lions tour when there were deals still to be done.
