Report: Chelsea's pursuit of versatile winger at risk as Juventus enter free transfer race
Chelsea’s reported free transfer pursuit of Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic could face serious competition as the player’s representatives are also waiting for an offer from Juventus, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 33-year-old is in the final days of his contract with Inter, and so far reports in Italy suggest that there has yet to be an agreement between the two parties over a new contract.
Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has kept an eye on Perisic since January.
Although, the Italian transfer expert also refuted an earlier report from Sportmediaset suggesting the existence of an agreement between Chelsea and the versatile winger.
Sportmediaset previously claimed that Chelsea had been preparing to tempt Perisic with a more lucrative two-year contract than what Inter were offering.
However, it is not a two-horse race between Chelsea and Inter, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Juventus have apparently entered the frame and are reportedly set to make an offer that the player’s representatives would be open to.
Chelsea, who cannot legally make offers under the current licence they are operating under, are obviously at a disadvantage in the reported transfer race.
It is easy to see why Perisic might have attracted Tuchel’s attention.
Aside from the uncertainty over Ben Chilwell’s injury return date, Tuchel could also lose Marcos Alonso, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona, this summer.
Perisic mostly plays as a left wing-back for Inter and already registered seven goals and six assists in Serie A this term.
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