Manchester United FC news: Jose Mourinho closes in on £35million deal for Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has flown to Croatia as he steps up the chase for Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic.

reports that Mourinho is in Zagreb, where Croatia face Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier on Friday night, as he bids to stay ahead of Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for the £35m-rated striker.

And the Old Trafford boss is hoping his close relationship with agent Predrag Mijatovic, who is understood to be brokering the deal for Perisic, will help persuade him to make Manchester his next destination.

The versatile Croatian, 28, can play as a winger, second striker or attacking midfielder and Mourinho is hoping he will be confirmed as the first summer signing as the Portuguese sets about building a squad capable to winning the Premier League title.