Analysis

Is Ivan Perisic worth €35 million?

By Utsav Mehta

Posted on January 28, 2019

Arsenal have found a new target in the World Cup finalist, Ivan Perisic. The Gunners began to scout for players after their deal with Barcelona for signing Denis Suarez on loan could not take shape.

The Croatian forward was under the scanner of Manchester United since very long and had been ‘close’ to penning a deal with Manchester United on multiple occasions – but with departure of Jose Mourinho, his successor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is happy with his young Devils in Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard.

According to David Orstein, Ivan Perisic is being targeted as a loanee by the Gunners and will given a deal of €35million at the end of the season, depending on his performances.

The Croatian bull does have his own pros and cons. But are the pros heavier enough to outweigh the cons. Is the player worth €35 million?

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The football fans who love to watch big games may say ‘Yes, definitely he is‘. But his goal rate for Inter-Milan depicts the contrary. The winger has only scored three goals this season with a tally of two assists. He does have a knack of scoring but against heavy teams or in big games, which is a good thing but only is the player also scores against smaller opponents, which he doesn’t.

If you look at World Cup 2018 and Euro 2016, Perisic is worth more and overall he doesn’t even match the price.

The robust and bullishly built winger is no doubt an aerial threat. He is as good with his crosses as he is with his head. He can create goal-scoring chances with his crosses or go and score goal himself. Not only that he is a good creator, one capable enough to replace Ramsey for few years. And most importantly, the hard worker that he is, he will perfect square into Unai Emery’s work ethic.

WATCH: IVAN PERISIC 🔥

Last but not the least, he is a link-up expert that can bind the midfield and the strikers together, a problem that has seen Arsenal lose matches.

All facts considered, Perisic has some perils that would make Arsenal not buy him. Not in his qualities but of the player the Gunners require. Perisic is not a consistent performer, someone who Arsenal can rely upon from time to time.

There are no second thoughts on the ability the winger possesses, albeit his prowess, the biggest hurdle coming Arsenal’s way of signing him is his age. Arsenal have a lot of players ageing above 27, and the former Borussia Dortmund player is already 29 (turning 30 this Saturday), which makes him a step-back considering the versatile youngsters Arsenal are linked with in Denis Suarez, Christopher Nkunku and Yannick Carrasco.

The financial constraints of Arsenal also have a role to play, with Arsenal having funds only to sign a player on loan.

Nevertheless, Arsenal if eyeing for a winger should consider a young option, someone who can give dividends over a considerable amount of time rather than just next couple of years or three at max.

All facts taken into consideration, Ivan Perisic can well be a short-term solution, not a long one. The Croatian winger is infused with a lot of talent but the price tag of €30-35million is not suitable enough to be paid for his services.