Arsenal sources disclosed this week that the club were looking to sign the Croatian.
In-the-know BBC Sport journalist David Ornstein broke the news on Saturday, tweeting: “Arsenal have made an approach to sign Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic.
“#AFC want loan with £35m option to buy. 29yo open to #Inter exit. Fits plan of versatile midfielder e.g. Suarez (still possible) / Nkunku + winger.”
The 6ft 1in winger has become a consistent performer for the Nerazzurri over the last four seasons and played a starring role during Croatia’s surge to the 2018 World Cup final, during which he scored against England in the semi-finals.
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expressed interest in bringing the 29-year-old to Old Trafford last summer, but was not leveraged the £48million fee which Inter reportedly dropped on their man, whose contract expires in June 2022.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has made clear his desire to bring a versatile winger into the squad with Barcelona’s Denis Suarez a prime target.
But with attention switching to the more proven Perisic, it seems the Gunners are having no more luck.
Sky Italia reported on Sunday afternoon that Inter have rejected an offer from Arsenal to loan Perisic to north London until the end of the season, with an option to buy in the summer transfer window.
It is believed the loan would cost Arsenal £4.3m (€5m), with the chance to acquire Perisic on a full-time contract for £34.5m (€40m).
Arsenal manager Unai Emery revealed earlier this month that the club cannot purchase any players during January, saying: “We cannot sign permanently.
“We can only loan players. I know the club is working on possibilities of which players can help us with big performances like we need now. I cannot say more.”
Inter manager Luciano Spalletti was coy when asked about Perisic during a press conference on Saturday.
“He’s always spoken about during the transfer window because he’s a good player who everyone would like to have in their team,” Spalletti said.
“As a player, he knows what his job is and he expects to keep doing what he’s always done.”