Arsenal ‘conned’ Ivan Perisic with a fake offer before transfer collapsed, claims angry Inter Milan boss Spalletti
Perisic slapped in a transfer request hoping to force a move to Arsenal, however, the Italian side reckon they will have to pick up the pieces after it became apparent there was no real offer
IVAN PERSIC was "conned" by Arsenal over a potential move to Emirates, claims angry Inter Milan boss Luciano Spalletti.
Perisic slapped in a transfer request to try and force through a move to the Gunners.
However, Spalletti insists the Premier League side turned the player's head with an offer they feel was not genuine.
And now the transfer window is shut, Spalletti has called Perisic to remain professional.
Perisic, who turns 30 on Saturday, was an unused sub in the Coppa Italia defeat by Lazio on penalties on Thursday night.
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After the game Spalletti told Rai Sport: "We’ve got to get Perisic back on track.
“These things happen in the transfer window, the player received an impressive proposal and was tempted.
"However, he then realised it was not a true offer, that he’d been conned, and took a step back.
“Now he’ll resume training and as soon as his mind is back fully on Inter, we’ll let him play.”
Perisic was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United 18 months ago.
The Croatian attacker agreed a deal to move to Old Trafford, but United refused to pay the £50million Inter wanted alongside Anthony Martial as part of the deal.
After the move fell through, the Russia World Cup runner-up signed a new five-year contract to extend his stay with the Serie A giants until 2022.