Taking to Twitter, Sport 1 reporter Patrick Berger has made a promising claim involving Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic and a possible move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Lowdown: Conte turns to former club?
As well as being linked with possible swoops for a plethora of Serie A stars (Calciomercato), the Spurs manager has also been tipped to raid his former club for talent as he looks to oversee a new era at N17.
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January is looming and Tottenham’s last humbling, a 2-1 defeat to Slovenian minnows NS Mura in the Europa Conference League, is perhaps an indication that Conte seriously needs to strengthen in the winter window.
Despite the urgency, Spurs could also sign targets on pre-contracts ahead of free moves in the summer, with the likes of Marcelo Brozovic and Franck Kessie repeatedly linked in this regard.
News has now emerged on one man who Conte could also negotiate as a free agent for 2022 with his contract winding down.
The Latest: Perisic eyeing move to Spurs…
As per Berger, writing on social media, Perisic’s deal at Inter expires next summer, and while he is thinking about an extension, he’s also eyeing a move to Tottenham to work under his former manager. The journalist tweeted:
“A transfer of Ivan Perisic back to the Bundesliga (#BVB or Wolfsburg) won’t happen. The contract of the 32yo Croatian @Inter runs out in summer,” he explained.
“There are talks to extend. But P. is also thinking about to join Tottenham where he could work with his ex-boss Antonio Conte.”
Sport 1 also believe that there are ‘currently talks with Tottenham’ as Perisic considers his future away from the San Siro.
The Verdict: Get it done?
The 32-year-old has been linked with Spurs sporadically over the last few years and former N17 boss Jose Mourinho is certainly a huge fan, but would Perisic bolster Conte’s options?
Once valued at £50m, the 6 foot 1 powerhouse is an international star and legend for his country, amassing 111 caps for Croatia and cementing himself into folklore with an equalising World Cup semi-final goal against England in 2018.
A versatile forward, Perisic can play either out wide or as a second striker, potentially coming as an unlikely temporary solution to Tottenham’s lack of a senior centre-forward alternative to Harry Kane.
On a free deal Spurs would have little to lose, but Perisic’s age indicates that he would be a short-term solution further forward, possibly coming as another option if the Lilywhites can’t land long-time target Dusan Vlahovic.
In other news: Eight players now safe from Spurs axe after impressing Conte behind the scenes, find out more here.