Bayern and Inter involved in "Perisic Poker"
A reliable Italian footballing insider reports that Bayern München and Inter are currently locked in a standoff over Ivan Perisic's worth.
While FC Bayern München declined to exercise the buyout options on their three 2019/20 loanees, reports now surface that the FCB are in talks to re-acquire one of the trio sent back to their parent clubs on August 31st. In addition to allowing attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho and right fullback Alvaro Odriozola to return to FC Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, the FCB showed little interest in exercising a €20 million buyout clause for Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic.
Italian football insider Fabrizio Romano, as reported on German site Transfermarkt.de, revealed that Bayern chair Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has led an effort to permanently acquire the 31-year-old Croatian winger. Concrete details regarding the current negotiations are available. Apparently, Bayern initiated proceedings with a €12 million offer. Inter seeks to counter with a €15 million asking price.
Bayern’s interest in retaining Perisic’s services surely has much to do with his incredibly strong performances in the final stages of this year’s Champions League. His stellar play on the left flank played an enormous role in opening the floodgates during the historic 8-2 romp of Barcelona in the quarterfinals. A solid evening of work in the semis also proved immensely helpful.
In perhaps a deliberate prelude to the “poker” one now sees playing out, Perisic was the one player dropped by manager Hans Dieter Flick in the UCL final. Kingsley Coman replaced him on the left, eventually scoring the decisive goal that would lead Bayern to its first “treble” in seven years.
The ongoing back-and-forth should prove interesting. Bayern remain deep enough at Perisic’s position that they can resist attempts by Inter to bump the price up. It remains to be seen how high the German giants can be driven.