Man Utd get positive response to transfer that will leave Jose Mourinho furious

Manchester United are on the look-out for an alternative to Jadon Sancho after they were priced out of a deal for the Dortmund forward.

A few names have been flagged in recent weeks, including Kingsley Coman and Philippe Coutinho, but the Red Devils are yet to make a concrete move for anyone.

Another name that has emerged is long-term target Ivan Perisic, who won the Champions League with Bayern Munich last month.

According to reports, the Red Devils would consider taking the Croatian on loan for the season, before going back in for Sancho in next summer’s transfer window.

Interestingly, United were previously linked with a move for Perisic, and by the 31-year-old’s own admission, very nearly signed him.

Back in 2018, then Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho made the Serbian – who was at Inter Milan at the time – his number one transfer target.

But United’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward wasn’t on board with the signing, and Perisic never joined the Old Trafford club.

Should the Red Devils change their stance and sign Perisic for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer it will surely rub Mourinho up the wrong way.

And what’s more, United would more than likely be able to do so, if they tabled a serious bid.

Back in 2018 Perisic reflected on his nearly-move to United, and gave a very positive response to the idea of one day representing the Old Trafford giants.

Perisic told Four Four Two magazine in 2018: “In football, you never say never.

“From the beginning of my career, I’ve had the ambition to play in as many big leagues as possible, and I still have that desire to test myself in other leagues.

“And I mean in the Spanish or English leagues.

“I hope Inter fans understand my point of view. I’m an athlete and a professional, I like challenges and this is my driving force.

“What the future will bring, I don’t know. Now I’m focused on Inter, as we try to make a bigger step forward from last season.”

On Man United’s – and particularly Mourinho’s – interest in him, he added: “It’s true that an offer from Manchester United was on the table – I was really close to leaving Inter.

“Admiration from a coach like Mourinho is definitely something that flattered me. It’s confirmation of hard work and good performances.

“When you’re praised by a guy like Mourinho – the manager of a huge club like Man United – it’s difficult not to think about such an offer.

“I’m glad he has a high opinion of me. These things motivate me to work and train hard, to achieve the best performances.”

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