Exclusive: Everton in deadline-day swoop for Ivan Perisic
Everton are plotting a deadline-day swoop for Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The Merseysiders have turned their attention to the Croatia international as they look for a replacement for exit-bound Bernard.
An Everton source has told Football Insider the club have registered their interest in Perisic, 31, ahead of Monday night’s cut-off.
The Premier League outfit are running out of time to seal a deal with just hours remaining of the January window.
But manager Carlo Ancelotti is eager to bring in attacking reinforcements following Saturday’s shock defeat to Newcastle United.
Perisic has been identified by the Champions League-winning boss as a top-quality alternative to Bernard.
The Croatian left-sided star is a key member of the Inter squad but has started just 10 of their 20 Serie A matches this season.
He has clocked up 26 appearances in all competitions for Antonio Conte’s side, scoring two goals and supplying three assists.
Perisic, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich as they stormed to a Bundesliga and Champions League double, has an outstanding track record at the highest level.
The 96-times international has scored 42 times and provided 38 assists for Inter from 189 matches.
This comes as Everton hold talks over selling Bernard to UAE outfit Al Nasr for a potential £9million fee.
The Brazilian, who joined on a free transfer in 2018, has had a fringe role for the Toffees this season.
In other news, Everton have opened new signing talks which could “rectify big-money blunder”.