Hajduk Split president Luksa Jakobusic believes that Ange Postecoglou is standing in the way of Ivan Perisic’s departure from Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking during a meeting with the club’s supporters on Sunday, Jakobusic revealed that – after over a decade away – Ivan Perisic wants to pick up where he left off at Hajduk Split.
One of Croatia’s favourite sons began his career on the banks of the Adreatic. He has made no secret of his desire to come full circle before hanging up his boots and, after turning 34 in February, it seems that Perisic has decided now is the right time for this prodigal son to return home.
According to Gianluca di Marzio, the former Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund ace is willing to terminate the final 12 months of his £165,000-a-week Tottenham Hotspur contract before accepting a substantial pay cut at a Hajduk Split side who have not won Croatia’s top flight since Perisic’s first spell at the club.
But things are not quite that simple.
Ivan Perisic eyeing Tottenham Hotspur exit
Jakobusic, speaking via 24Sata and Vercenji, admits that Perisic does want the move. New Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou is not quite so enthusiastic about the prospect, however. The former Celtic boss wants to retain the services of a player who’s vast experience and his ability to thrive in multiple positions could come in very handy as as Postecoglou looks to drag the London giants back into Europe in 2023/24.
Postecoglou likes hard-working, tricky wide players capable of stretching the pitch. Perisic, a left-footed left winger, could still be a key part of Tottenham’s plans, even if is viewed very much as ‘Antonio Conte’s man’ having played under the Italian at both Inter Milan and at Spurs.
Perisic’s hopes of a return to Croatia could be complicated further by Ryan Sessegnon’s latest injury. Sessegnon has undergone surgery in an attempt to correct a hamstring issue.
Legendary Hajduk coach Zoran Vulic, meanwhile, is turning to divine intervention; praying for Perisic to make a Messiah-like return to a club desperate to end their 18-year wait for domestic glory.
“God, just let him come and sign!” Vulic exclaims.
“Hajduk has to fight for the championship every year, with or without Perisic. Simply, that is Hajduk’s duty. Whether they succeed or not is another question, but Hajduk must attack first place every year.
“Last season, we had a great chance (to win the league). It’s our own fault that it didn’t happen. And with the arrival of Perisic, I think that Hajduk’s chances are seriously increasing.”
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