Reports suggest Ivan Perisic could return to Inter Milan this summer, with defender Stefan De Vrij potentially going the other way and joining Tottenham Hotspur in a swap deal of sorts.
Perisic signed for Tottenham on a free transfer last summer. The Croatian veteran joined Inter back in 2015 and made 254 appearances for the Italian side, contributing 55 goals and 49 assists (Transfermarkt).
The 34-year-old has impressed at times for Spurs this year, registering ten assists but only managing one goal so far (Transfermarkt).
Given his close relationship with Antonio Conte, it has been suggested that Perisic may look to leave Spurs in the summer (CalcioMercato).
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Perisic could be sold back to Inter at the end of the season.
This notion has been corroborated by the latest from Inter Live, who claim Perisic would be open to a return to his former club, and that Dutch defender de Vrij could be part of any potential deal.
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The report states that a Perisic departure “cannot be completely excluded yet.” It is noted that the player has not “denied his past nor removed Inter from his heart.”
Perisic’s prospective move to Inter is thought to be “somewhat complicated but not entirely impossible.” There are apparently two options for how de Vrij would factor into the plans.
The 31-year-old defender is out of contract at Inter in the summer, but it is believed we could see a “potential exchange with Stefan de Vrij.”
The nature of that exchange would be more of a gentleman’s agreement than an official swap deal.
As for a fee for Perisic, the report suggests the valuation would be “not at zero, but almost” if de Vrij was to sign for Spurs.
The second option is that Inter agree a new, short-term deal with de Vrij before letting him join Spurs.
Either way, the report adds “in the event that this possibility of exchange were to seriously take off, in all probability, neither De Vrij nor Perisic would end up saying no.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I have been relatively happy with Perisic since his arrival, and I do think he has more to give.
I was particularly keen on the idea of him being a mentor to Destiny Udogie next season.
However, if he is keen to move on, we should let him leave.
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