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Manchester United are chasing Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic - but who is the £48m target?

The Croatian is reportedly on Jose Mourinho's transfer wishlist this summer

Jack Austin
Monday 29 May 2017 11:37 BST
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Perisic has scored 12 goals in total this season
Perisic has scored 12 goals in total this season (Getty)

Among all the furore surrounding Antoine Griezmann, it’s easy to forget that Manchester United are interested in bringing other targets to Old Trafford this summer.

Manchester City are already in full flow with their recruitment, having welcomed Bernardo Silva to the Etihad for £43m with goalkeeper Ederson Moraes expected to follow for £35m imminently.

The latest name for which it seems Jose Mourinho has instructed Ed Woodward to approach is Ivan Perisic, according to reports.

But what do we know about the winger who Inter Milan are demanding £48m for?

He’s an established player…

Perisic has been linked with a move to the Premier League for around six years, since Tottenham expressed an interest in bringing him to north London. He chose Borussia Dortmund instead, but did give Spurs fans something to cheer about by scoring a stunner against rivals Arsenal in the Champions League.

He since spent two season at Wolfsburg before moving to Inter Milan in 2015, where he has bagged 18 goals in two seasons.

The 28-year-old also has 56 caps for Croatia and has represented them at three major international tournaments, including some memorable Euro 2016 performances.

He was one of the stand-out players of the group stages and scored two goals and grabbed an assist, including a powerful effort against potential new United teammate David De Gea.

He’s got a temper…

“Oh no” you can hear United fans groan, given the trouble they’ve had due to Marouane Fellaini’s hot head this season. But in Perisic they will have another one, should he sign.

He has been sent off twice this season and picked up 12 yellow cards in the season before. That side of his game must be curtailed in the Premier League or he could find himself frustrating rather than delighting United fans next season.

Style of play…

Perisic has a wicked left foot and has been compared to Arjen Robben with his tendency to cut inside and unleash a shot or a low, hard drive across goal.

He is a very direct runner and has the strength and tenacity that would see him thrive in the Premier League.

But, more importantly to Mourinho, he has an incredible work-rate and covers a lot of ground throughout a game. He has an almost tireless feel to him and doesn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities.

Oh, and the haircut...

Perisic stood out at Euro 2016 for other reasons too (Getty)

The less said about that, the better.

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