Chelsea lost to Liverpool again in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium after Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount both missed their penalty kicks. This would lead Chelsea to bolster their team this summer.
With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen due to leave when their contracts expire on June 30, the Blues are anticipated to bolster their central defense options for next season.
However, with reports that Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are searching for new clubs, they may need to improve their wing-back department.
In the middle of this, Sport Mediaset claims that Perisic has reached an agreement with Chelsea, who will pay him more than Inter’s €4.5 million yearly contract.
Perisic’s contract with the Nerazzurri expires on June 30, and it is said that only a medical examination and a contract must be finalized before he can join Chelsea on a free transfer.
Alonso and Ben Chilwell have been manager Thomas Tuchel’s frequent picks at left wing-back, but the latter has been injured for much of the season.
Chilwell is set to return for the 2022/23 season, and he may have a new rival in Perisic, given that Alonso appears to be looking for a new challenge elsewhere.
Perisic, 33, is not a long-term answer for the Blues, but he would be a fantastic acquisition given his success as a left-wing-back at Inter Milan.
Over the last two years, he has essentially made the post his own. This season, he has nine goals and eight assists from 47 games across all competitions.
He has adapted well to the role despite being a winger by trade, and Tuchel may be inclined to pursue him instead of spending big money on a budding star.
Chelsea have already shown that they are not averse to the idea of landing experienced stars. Silva joined on a free transfer when he was almost 36, and has been brilliant for them.
Perisic would be a solid competitor to Chilwell. The Croatian is no slouch defensively with an average of 1.4 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 1.7 aerial duels won in Serie A this term.
The timing of his transfer may depend on when the temporary transfer ban on Chelsea is lifted. It should happen soon with Todd Boehly’s consortium set to take over the club.