Manchester United target Ivan Perisic signs new five-year deal with Inter Milan to commit future to San Siro club
- Ivan Perisic has signed a new contract with Inter Milan until June 2022
- Croatian was wanted by Manchester United this summer but stayed in Italy
- Winger was seen as Jose Mourinho's fourth main transfer target at Old Trafford
- Perisic's decision to stay at San Siro signals the end of United's interest in him
Ivan Perisic has signed a new bumper five-year contract with Inter Milan to end speculation over his future following Manchester United's interest in the Croatian winger.
Perisic was the subject of a £45million bid from United in the summer, with Jose Mourinho earmarking the wideman as his fourth major signing following the arrivals of Victor Lindelof, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic.
But United were unsuccessful in their attempts to prise Perisic away from the Serie A club, and the the 28-year-old Croatia international has now committed himself to Inter.
Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic has signed a new five-year contract with the Italian club
Perisic says he is delighted to commit his future to Inter despite Manchester United interest
Perisic was among the best performers for the Nerazzurri last season and opened his account for the 2017-18 campaign with a goal against Fiorentina last month.
In a club statement, Inter revealed they were 'delighted' to secure him until June 2022.
Perisic told inter.it: 'It's a special day for me, an emotional and happy one after the stress of the summer. Now we are all looking forward and I'm only thinking about Inter.
'For a long time I kept my counsel, and now I can say that (head coach Luciano) Spalletti told me that I could be an even better version of myself here. We've done well in the first two matches of the season and we need to continue that way.'
The Croatia international impressed Jose Mourinho with his direct running and end product
The United target will now ply his trade at the San Siro until the end of the 20121-22 season
Perisic, who moved to the San Siro at the start of the 2015-16 season, has made 81 appearances across all competitions, scoring 20 goals so far for the Italian giants.
Inter valued Perisic at £48m and were unhappy with United's opening offers of £36m and £39m.
But United will now have to look elsewhere in their pursuit of offensive players after Perisic committed his future to his current employers.
The developments may lead to Jose Mourinho upping his interest in Gareth Bale, who was jeered by Real Madrid supporters on the opening day of the Spanish season against Valencia.
Bale insists he is happy at the Santiago Bernabeu, but having missed out on Perisic, Mourinho will monitor the Welshman's situation with increased interest to ensure he does not miss out on another transfer target should he become available.
The 28-year-old will hope to reach the World Cup next summer with his country Croatia
Perisic is locked in a tight World Cup qualifying group which includes Turkey and Ukraine
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