Arsenal fans’ joy turns to despair as Perisic starts following Ozil ahead of transfer move… but then realise he also follows Champions League too
The Inter Milan winger has handed in a transfer request in an effort to force through a move to The Emirates Stadium
IVAN PERISIC initially sent Arsenal fans into delirium by following both Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Instagram - until they realised he tracks the Champions League page as well.
The Croatia international has handed in a transfer request at Inter Milan in an effort to force through a move to North London.
Reports in Italy claim Arsenal have had an offer rejected to loan the 29-year-old until the end of the season and buy him permanently in the summer.
Arsenal are understood to have offered £4.4million upfront, with £34.5m due in the summer if they take up the option to buy Perisic outright.
Inter however want to cut to the chase and desire a long-term deal now - but Unai Emery does not have the funds available.
It remains to be seen whether Perisic's transfer request will end the deadlock.
The development should of course be treated with a degree of scepticism, with Barcelona's Denis Suarez having liked an Arsenal-related post amid rumours he was bound for the capital.
France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe is also in the list.
Reddit user Peckypeckly wrote: "Ahh, I see he’s also following UEFA Champion’s League... Yikes."
Kits_ joked: "So what I'm getting from this is that his deal becomes permanent if Ozil and Auba stay, plus we get Champions League and sign Mbappe."
Meanwhile, ap120 wants Arsenal to withdraw from talks altogether amid a poor 2018-19 campaign for the wideman.
They said: "He would've been a good signing a few years ago but now our attack is already old and he has had a poor season for Inter."
Emery has admitted he wants two new signings but faces a race against time to complete a deal before the 11pm deadline on January 31.
Despite the ongoing pursuit of an attacking player, it is in defence where Arsenal are woefully short.
Injuries to Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis leaves Emery lacking resources ahead of a week which includes games against Cardiff City and Premier League champions Manchester City.