The Serie A club are "intensifying talks" with Lazio over a swoop for Keita Balde Diao, who appears to be a a potential replacement for the Croatia international.
Starsport understand United have been negotiating with Inter bosses over Perisic since the end of last season.
They are yet to strike a deal with San Siro chiefs but Jose Mourinho remains determined to sign Perisic.
The United manager has ordered transfer chief Ed Woodward to get him his man.
A replacement for Perisic could soften Inter's stance and, according to Tancredi Palmeri, the Italians are closing in on Lazio forward Keita.
Palmeri tweeted: "Inter intensifying talks to sign Lazio wonderboy Balde Keita, for whom they offered €20m. Juventus and Milan tried hard to get him."
When asked by a user on Twitter whether that means Perisic would be moving to United, he replied: "Keita joining Inter would definitely ease that."
Keita has also been linked with moves to Chelsea and Liverpool this summer.
Starsport understand Perisic is sulking in a bid to push through a £40m move to Old Trafford.
Inter boss Luciano Spalletti ordered Perisic to join his squad for pre-season training in Riscone di Brunico.
But the 28-year-old is infuriating the club with his behaviour in and around the rest of the squad.
