August 10, 2019 - All signs are pointing to a move back to Bundesliga for Croatian footballer Ivan Perišić.
Ivan Perišić did not travel with Inter Milan to Saturday’s friendly match against Valencia, so as not to risk injury before moving to Bayern, according to reliable media sources from Italy.
Inter and Bayern have agreed on the details of the loan, which should turn into a transfer at the end of next season. La Gazetta dello Sport and Sky Sport write that Bayern will pay 5 million euros for Perišić’s loan, with another 20 million euros for his contract, reports Index.hr.
The media reported that the big move only needed Perišić’s consent, which just happened. Sky Sport states that it did not occur on Friday when the clubs had already agreed, because he insisted on a transfer, not a loan with an obligation to purchase as the first option would give him more security.
Perišić’s move from Inter, which bought the Croatian representative over four years ago from Wolfsburg for €19 million, will cost Bayern a total of €25 million.
The attacking winger of Inter and the Croatia national team, therefore, will miss Friday’s game due to precaution. And it only makes sense, since Bayern also turned to Perišić as a backup option after their first-choice, Leroy Sane, was badly injured in his last game for Manchester City after his transfer to Bayern was virtually settled. Instead of going to a new club, Sane is forced to take a break for half of the year.
This transfer news confirms that Perišić is just one of the victims of Inter's new coach Antonio Conte and his major cleanup of Inter dressing room. Recall, some key players left already on Friday.
But while Icardi and Nainggolan are being chased away for their weak character, Ivan Perišić is out thanks to his overpaid salary, which amounts to 8 million euros a year, and because he does not fit into the new Inter concept. Namely, the Conte plays in a 3-5-2 system that has no room for wingers like Perišić.
Fortunately for Perišić, Bayern desperately needed a winger after the departure of the legendary Ribéry, injury to Coman and severe injury to Leroy Sane, who was to come as one of the replacements.
Niko Kovač, who led Perišić as the Croatia coach, thinks Ivan is an excellent plan B. He is experienced but not too old (30), proven himself in top football, and although he is a foreigner, he will not need to adapt to a new country, language, and league. For four years (2011-2015), Perišić lived and played in Germany for Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg. From there, he moved to Inter for €19 million. He played 163 games for the Milan club, scoring 40 goals and 37 assists.
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