Jose Mourinho, the manager of Manchester United, arrived in Zagreb yesterday and is said to be staying at the Esplanade hotel.
First announced by English media, it has been claimed that the manager of Manchester United came to Zagreb for the match between Croatia and Ukraine in an effort to speak to Ivan Perišić about his transfer from Inter Milan to Old Trafford. Sources from England argue that negotiations are in the final stage, reports Index.hr on March 24, 2017.
Here, more photos of Jose #Mourinho in Zagreb, Croatia. [src index.hr] pic.twitter.com/UqR7ReQY1k
— Ivan Žeželj (@izezelj) March 24, 2017
The man who will be mediating in negotiations is Predrag Mijatović, a longtime friend of Mourinho and someone who has helped Mourinho seal big deals in the past. After his departure as the sporting director of Real Madrid in 2009, Mijatović continued managing and this time in a duet with Vlado Lemić, Serbian agent, and friend. The two are said to have played a big part in Luka Modrić’s transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid.
It will be difficult for Inter to keep the 28-year-old Perišić who stunned at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. He is rated as one of the biggest transfer targets this summer, and a possible transfer for the Croatian to United is estimated at 40 million euros.
Source: HNS
Perišić was not eligible to play in last night’s match between Croatia and Ukraine due to suspension, but coach Ante Čačić named him on the roster anyhow as Croatia will face Estonia in a friendly match next week.
The versatile offender can cover positions on both wings, play the role as the second striker, but is most dangerous when he gets an open space on the left.
Perišić began his career at Hajduk, but after only a year and at 18 years old he went to Sochaux. Since 2009, he has made appearances for Club Brugge, followed by two years at Borussia Dortmund. Most of Perišić’s games were played in a Wolfsburg shirt, and in 2015 the Croat moved to Inter Milan for 18 million euros.
Jose #Mourinho in Zagreb to discuss potential Brozovic & Perisic move to #mufc pic.twitter.com/dgPZVvdQur
— Ivan Žeželj (@izezelj) March 24, 2017
Sources also claimed that Mourinho is interested in another Croatian face from Inter – Marcelo Brozović. Following this information, Index.hr contacted the player’s agent Miroslav Bičanić on March 24, 2017.
“We can not talk about names, but more English clubs are interested in Marcelo. We are in touch with them. Brozović will be a hot target for many clubs next summer,” said Bičanić.
Brozović played in the starting line-up in the match against Ukraine.