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Ivan Perisic has told Milan he wants to join UnitedIvan Perisic has told Milan he wants to join United
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Ivan Perisic closing in on Manchester United move as Inter Milan look to Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero

Italians are preparing to splash the cash earned from sale on playmaker but Old Trafford chiefs are short of asking price

MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on signing Ivan Perisic as Inter Milan eye a replacement.

Old Trafford chiefs had almost given up on landing the Croatian star after being put off by a £45million-plus price tag.

 Ivan Perisic has told Milan he wants to join United
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Ivan Perisic has told Milan he wants to join UnitedCredit: Getty Images
 Croatia star Perisic is one of Jose Mourinho's top targets
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Croatia star Perisic is one of Jose Mourinho's top targetsCredit: Getty Images

But the attacking midfielder, 28, came back onto their radar after instructing his agent to engineer a move.

United are growing increasingly confident they can land a cut-price deal for one of Jose Mourinho's top targets.

And it appears Inter are preparing for Perisic's departure, with Sky Italy claiming they are stepping up their pursuit of Fiorentina's Borja Valero.

The veteran Spanish playmaker, 32, would be the first midfield arrival in Milan this summer - paving the way for his team-mate to leave.

Mourinho will be desperate for Ed Woodward to get the deal over the line after growing frustrated at a lack of progress.

While rivals Manchester City set to work quickly, United have been slow off the mark this summer.

 Paul Pogba will have a rival for eye-catching hairstyles
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Paul Pogba will have a rival for eye-catching hairstylesCredit: LUSA
 Perisic displayed a number of creative cuts at last year's Euros
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Perisic displayed a number of creative cuts at last year's EurosCredit: AP:Associated Press

Victor Lindelof has arrived in a £31m deal but three other priority signings - including Perisic - are still to be completed.

Executive vice-chairman Woodward has been working hard to get the deals done but has come up against stubborn clubs and indecision from some players.

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is expected to join after coming back from holiday on Thursday, however.

 Inter could use some of the money to sign Borja Valero
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Inter could use some of the money to sign Borja ValeroCredit: Reuters

And with Chelsea closing in on Monaco starlet Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Conte should sanction Nemanja Matic's £40m exit soon.

Mourinho was concerned at a lack of activity just a week before his players return for pre-season.

And some frustrated fans took to social media to ask why Woodward was in New Zealand watching the Lions tour when there were deals still to be done.


Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals in SunSport's live transfer blog



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