Bayern Munich are on the cusp of completing a move for Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic after Ajax forward Hakim Ziyech rejected a move to Bavaria.
Niko Kovac has been eager to improve his flanks after the departure of both Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben this summer.
Bayern’s winger pursuit: Five things to know…
- Bayern have been keen to sign wingers this summer following the exits of Ribery and Robben.
- It was believed the club were on the verge of completing a deal for Leroy Sane before the Man City winger damaged his anterior cruciate ligament.
- Hakim Ziyech is another player to have been heavily linked with a move.
- But, the Morocco international has since revealed that he has turned down the chance to leave Ajax.
- As such, Bayern are now nearing the completion of bringing Perisic back to the Bundesliga.
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The German giants have made no secret about their pursuit of Manchester City winger Leroy Sane, but any proposed deal fell through after the 23-year-old suffered a long-term knee injury in the Community Shield win over Liverpool.
Bayern have subsequently turned their attention to former Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg wide-man Perisic, who has since revealed that a medical has already taken place, while also vowing to give his all for the current Bundesliga champions.
Speaking to Bild, he said: “Yeah, I just had the medical checkup.
(📸foto @BILD) pic.twitter.com/4rBVjvPHra
— Matteo Pedrosi (@MatteoPedrosi) August 12, 2019
“I’ll do my best!”
According to Sky Italia, the deal is set to be a season-long loan move for a fee in the region of €5m before the transfer is made permanent next summer for €20m.
Ziyech snub
Having rose to meteoric prominence with Ajax last season, helping the Dutch club to a domestic double, as well as reaching the Champions League semi-final, Ziyech has seen his name consistently associated with some of the cream of Europe this summer.
However, despite interest from across the continent, the 26-year-old has pledged his immediate future to the Amsterdammers by signing a contract extension, claiming his desire was never about money, but rather playing ‘attacking football with high-pressing’.
He told reporters: “We have a great team, the atmosphere is very good, and I feel the urge to not make the successful season of last year an accident. With myself, but also with everyone around me. And that feeling is the most important thing for me. I am happy here.
“I love football and at Ajax I experience football the way I prefer it. Attack on the ball, without pressure football. I have been able to develop here in both areas. And I can enjoy both aspects. It brings out the best in me.”
When asked about interest from Bayern, he added: “Yes, it could have been. But for me and Ajax it felt like a good time to be clear.
“Indeed. I think everyone has been able to see what we have achieved with Ajax. And what my share was in that.
“A transfer has never been a sacred goal.”