Man Utd to offer two stars in swap deal to land Inter attacker

Rob McCarthy

Manchester United are reportedly ready to swap defenders Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling in their efforts to land Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.

Inter had wanted to take Anthony Martial in a straight swap for the Croatia star but Jose Mourinho has rejected any such deal as United see the French forward as a key player for years to come.

However, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror, Mourinho is prepared to offer Italian international right-back Darmian and England centre-back Smalling to get his man.

Darmian, who cost United £12.7m from Torino two years ago, could be of more interest to new Inter boss Luciano Spalletti as he is likely to be a cheaper option than Real Madrid star Danilo, who is also on Inter’s radar.

The 27-year-old Italian filled in at centre-back and left-back in the closing weeks of last season and started the Europa League final as United beat Ajax in Stockholm, however that has not stopped speculation that he could return to Italy this summer.

Smalling, who has been a long-time target for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, will also be allowed to leave after United snapped up Victor Lindelof from Benfica.