Manchester United round-up: Inter boss discusses Perisic future; Smalling bid imminent; Mourinho praise for Martial

Add as preferred source on Google

United may already have spent an impressive £100 million this summer, but they could be about to splash even more cash. That’s after Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti insisted that winger Ivan Perisic will only be sold for the right price. He is quoted by the Independent as saying:

“He is a fantastic player and if his future is totally up to me, I will definitely keep him. However, if an offer comes and the club are satisfied with the money, which will be used to invest in and strengthen the team, he could leave.”

United have been pursuing the Croatian throughout the summer but he is currently in China with the Inter squad. Jose Mourinho may now look to bring the winger to Old Trafford as soon as possible, but it is clear that his former club will not be pushovers in negotiations for Perisic.

A move could be partly funded by the sale of defender Chris Smalling, which the Daily Star says is increasingly near. They say that West Brom are preparing a bid once they return from Asia, where they have been in action in the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong.

That bid is likely to be worth £10 million and will try to prise the 27-year-old away from Old Trafford. Leicester, Stoke and Crystal Palace are all also tracking the England international and could provide competition. Those at United could easily be hoping that they spark a bidding war.

Another player linked with a move away this summer is winger Anthony Martial. However, his incredible assist for Jesse Lingard in the club’s draw against Real Madrid on Sunday earned plaudits from around the world. That included boss Jose Mourinho, who told the club website:

“Obviously we want more consistency in his talent. I think today was positive for him, that is why I left him for 90 minutes on the pitch. He was enjoying it, he was trying new things, and it is important in these friendly matches to try new things, which he did.”

“That is important for his confidence… It is also his personality. I can say that he is training better than before, he is working harder than before, his ambition is to try to bring his talent in a consistent way.”

The forward had a disappointing campaign in 2016/17 and will be looking to put that behind him by making an impression this season.