The Croatian winger wants a return to Milan, yet Champions League dynamics could decide his future
Ivan Perišić has made his intentions clear: if given the chance, he would gladly return to Inter. At 37, opportunities like this are rare, and the Croatian winger has not hidden his desire to reconnect with a club that marked one of the most successful chapters of his career.
From Inter’s side, the door is open. In a January window described by club executives as “thin,” Perišić is viewed as a reliable, experienced solution — particularly on the right flank, an area that has struggled since the absence of Denzel Dumfries. An agreement between Inter and the player has already been reached, with no major obstacles on contractual terms.
The real resistance comes from Eindhoven. PSV have no intention of letting Perišić go in the middle of their Champions League campaign. The Dutch club see him as a key piece ahead of the final matchday and potential playoff fixtures, and even beyond that would prefer to keep him until the end of the season.
Still, the situation is fluid. Perišić himself is pushing for the move, eager to return to Milan and to a familiar environment he left in 2022, when he departed on a free transfer before joining Tottenham. That decision, in hindsight, may carry some regret — but now the focus is firmly on the present.
Inter, aware of PSV’s stance, are playing a waiting game built around the Champions League calendar. The Dutch side currently sit on the edge of the playoff zone and face Bayern Munich in their final league-phase match. A defeat — or even a draw — could mean immediate elimination, removing the need for PSV to hold on to Perišić through February.
Should that scenario unfold, the landscape would change dramatically. No playoffs, no congested schedule, and potentially less reason to block the winger’s departure. That is why, somewhat paradoxically, Inter fans will be keeping a close eye on Bayern’s result.
For now, everything is in place except PSV’s green light. If the Champions League dominoes fall the right way, Perišić’s long-awaited return to the Nerazzurri could move from sentiment to reality.
