Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Ivan Perisic, Claudio Marchisio Rumours

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly travelled to Croatia in an attempt to seal the £35 million capture of Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic.

According to Dan King in The Sun, Mourinho is aiming to ensure United get in ahead of rival suitors Chelsea and Liverpool to sign the 28-year-old and the Portuguese holds the edge because of his relationship with Predrag Mijatovic, the man thought to be overseeing Perisic's move.

King noted Perisic has "set his heart on a move to United" and that the Red Devils boss will look to push forward with the deal ahead of Croatia's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine in Zagreb on Friday. 

As Italian football expert Adam Digby wrote for Unibet, Perisic has been excellent since Stefano Pioli's instalment as Inter boss in November. Digby feels the Croatia international has the qualities to thrive in the Premier League:

Per Squawka, the attacking midfielder has enjoyed a fine 2016-17 season, contributing goals and assists in Serie A:

"

Ivan Perisic's Serie A season by numbers:

26 games
45 chances created
30 shots on target
9 goals
3 assists@flayyylmao #AskSquawka pic.twitter.com/B5sEteXoQ7

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 15, 2017"

Mourinho needs more firepower in his attacking ranks, as United have been overreliant on the ageing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to put the ball in the net this season.

Perisic looks to be reaching the prime of his career, and his ability to operate brilliantly on the left flank, while possessing the skills to also play on the right or through the middle, would make him a major asset at United.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Digby), a bid of €40 million-€45 million (£34.6 million-£38.9 million) could tempt Inter into selling Perisic, and United are said to have the funds to make such an offer. 

MIGUEL MEDINA/Getty Images

Meanwhile, United and Chelsea are both interested in signing Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, per Tuttosport (via the Manchester Evening News' James Robson and Charlotte Duncker).

According to the report, United are on the back foot in the race to sign the 31-year-old central midfielder, as Blues manager Antonio Conte has already made contact with the player, whom he previously managed when in charge at Juve.

Much like Ibrahimovic in attack, United are dependent on Michael Carrick, 35, to dictate play from the middle of the park and help Paul Pogba to thrive.

Marchisio would not be a long-term replacement for the Englishman, but he would be a fine purchase to provide an alternative to Carrick and add a further necessary controlling quality in central midfield.

However, it seems unlikely Mourinho will be able to sign the Italy international.