Ivan Perisic has reportedly been told he needs to take a substantial pay cut if he wants to extend his current Inter contract.
The winger has been at San Siro since leaving Wolfsburg in 2015, although he had a loan spell at Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 campaign.
He returned to play a part in Antonio Conte’s Scudetto-winning side and is getting regular playing time under Simone Inzaghi this season.
However, his contract runs to June 2022 and a renewal might not be on the cards.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 32-year-old Croatia international has been warned that his current €5m per season salary is simply no longer viable.
In fact, he is being asked to take a big pay cut to just €3m per season if he wants to remain at Inter.
An exit next summer as a free agent is therefore more than likely for Perisic.
So far this season, he has made eight competitive appearances for the club, contributing one goal and one assist.
GdS – Perisic, rinnovo difficile: “L’Inter gli ha recapitato un messaggio. C’è la cifra limite” https://t.co/Dmd2C32ik1
— Fcinter1908 (@fcin1908it) October 13, 2021
Perisic always just does enough to either stay in the team or avoid scrutiny. For that fee Inter should expect a lot more
The only reason to keep him is the team lack of back up attacker.
Leave the left wing-back playing time to Dimarco, Darmian, even Bastoni!
Part of me does feel some sympathy for Perisic, he always seems to be confined to the fringe but I think he’s a solid, versatile player. They loan him out for one season, he comes back with a champions league medal and now he’s back to the fringe. Perhaps the manager just doesn’t know how to utilise him.
Another piece of brilliant management by Marotta. If he leaves, he will be confirmed as a mercenary and club will be able to pick up Kostic for ~15m. If he stays, club saves money and on transfer fee.