Ivan Perišić is flying to London to agree a two year deal with Spurs. The 33 year old Croatian winger will complete the move from Inter Milan and rejoin his former coach Antonio Conte. The Croatian’s contract with the Italian giants has expired meaning Spurs will sign him on a free transfer in a deal reportedly earning the Croatian £75,000 a week.
Perišić, a member of Croatia’s ‘golden generation’ which also includes Rakitić, Mandžukić and Modrić, has 113 international caps and famously equalised against England in the heartbreaking 2018 World Cup semi-final.
In typically blunt Conte fashion he noted his initial scepticism towards Perišić when he first became Inter coach, saying ‘We sent Perišić to Bayern because he was not prepared to do the defending work I had asked for’. However, Conte was impressed with Perišić’s improvements at Bayern and said ‘He returned with a different mentality… he showed that he has extraordinary characteristics’. Conte’s tough love clearly made a positive impression upon the Croatian winger, Chelsea were reported to be interested in Perišić but Conte’s presence is said to have swayed the winger toward Spurs.
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Football.london reports that Fabio Paratici, Spurs’ managing director of football, hopes Perišić will mentor 22 year old Ryan Sessegnon who has failed to find a consistent place in the side after his move from Fulham in 2019.
Perišić has won ten major trophies including two Bundesliga titles, a Serie A and a Champions League.
Tottenham are also reportedly interested in signing winger Adama Traore and centre-back Marc Guéhi.
Topics: Ivan Perisic, Tottenham Hotspur, Transfers
Joe Lynch