Ivan Perisic’s career at Inter is coming to a close as the player looks on the verge of penning a two-year contract at Tottenham Hotspur. Reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano claims the Croatia international will undergo his medicals in London next week before completing his switch to the Premier League.
Perisic has emerged as Antonio Conte’s top target after the Italian manager helped Tottenham pip Arsenal to Champions League qualification this term. Spurs have developed a habit of buying players from Serie A since Conte’s appointment midway through the first half of the 2021/22 season.
Juventus’ duo Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski moved to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January. After having troublesome spells in Turin, they have flourished in London under Conte’s stewardship, providing the backbone for Spurs’ impressive late comeback in an enthralling top-four Premier League race.
Conte hopes the same recipe would work for Perisic, who enjoyed a stellar season at Giuseppe Meazza. The 33-year-old grew into one of Simone Inzaghi’s standout performers in the wake of Achraf Hakimi’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Perisic played a key role as Inter defeated Juventus in a blockbuster Coppa Italia final earlier in May. The veteran scored an extra-time double to fire his side to a 4-2 win, cementing his status as an indispensable first-team player at the Nerazzurri.
Our take on Perisic’s move to Tottenham
But though Inter tried to tie Perisic down to a new deal, their hesitance to kick-start extension talks has seemingly come back to bite them. The 19th-time Italian champions have approached the player’s entourages with an extension proposal only recently, yet it has all been too little, too late.
Disappointed by the club’s decision to postpone negotiations until the end of the season, Perisic has now decided to cut ties with Inter. Since his contract is up in the summer, the former Borussia Dortmund man will sign for Tottenham as a free agent.
Considering his outstanding showings under Inzaghi this term, Perisic could be a massive coup for Spurs. Sergio Reguilon has delivered mixed performances in London, and the veteran’s impending move to the Premier League could spice things up in the dressing room.