Ivan’s clause for concern

IVAN Perisic does not have a release clause in his new contract and his camp did not request one, despite interest from United.

The Croatian signed a new two-year contract extension with the Nerazzurri earlier this month - finally ending speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford.

M.E.N. Sport understands the 28-year-old ‘appreciated’ and ‘enjoyed’ the work of Jose Mourinho and had even been planning for life at the Theatre of Dreams earlier this summer.

But, after the two clubs failed to agree a fee, Perisic was named in Inter’s 28-man squad for their pre-season tour of China and went on to commit his future there until 2022.

And, explaining the thinking behind offering him a new deal, Inter Milan director Piero Ausilio believes it was important for Inter to try and match United’s ambition.

“Perisic still had a few years on his contract,” he said. “Nobody ever denied this offer arrived from Manchester United, but we have been working to convince him to stay at Inter and that our project could be just as successful as Manchester.

“The new contract was a consequence of that and only right.

“There is no release clause because we did not intend to propose one, nor was it requested by his entourage.”

Hard-working and direct, Perisic had been earmarked by Mourinho as the ideal signing to improve United’s transitions and cutting edge on the break.