PSV Trying To Iron Out Issue In 35-Year-Old Capture

PSV Eindhoven are on the verge of securing the signing of experienced Croatian forward Ivan Perisic. The club confirmed to Dutch outlet NOS that “the last wrinkles are being ironed out” in the deal.

Perisic’s return to top-flight football comes after a turbulent period at Hajduk Split, where he left following a disagreement with head coach Gennaro Gattuso. The Croatian had been loaned to Hajduk by Tottenham Hotspur, but his stint was cut short after he suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee in September of last year. He made his comeback in April but soon found himself without a club after parting ways with Hajduk.

During his illustrious career, Perisic has represented some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Internazionale, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund. His prime years spanned from 2015 to 2022, with the pinnacle being his triumph in the 2020 UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich. Perisic featured as a substitute in the final, where Bayern claimed a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Over the course of his career, he has also won domestic league titles three times: twice in Germany, with Dortmund in 2012 and Bayern in 2020, and once in Italy with Inter Milan in 2021.

On the international stage, Perisic has earned 136 caps for Croatia. His most notable moment came in the 2018 World Cup final, where he scored one of Croatia’s two goals in their 4-2 defeat to France. He also helped the Croatian national team secure third place in the 2022 World Cup, following a 2-1 victory over Morocco in the play-off.

PSV will make their first appearance in the revamped Champions League tonight, facing Juventus in Turin. However, if Perisic’s transfer is completed, he won’t be eligible to feature in the group stage of the competition, but he could join the squad later in the tournament.

He is expected to strengthen PSV’s options as a left winger or potentially as a left-back, a position where the club is lacking depth due to the long-term injury of Sergiño Dest.

PSV’s technical director, Earnest Stewart, has remained in Eindhoven to finalize the deal with Perisic while the team prepares for their crucial European tie in Turin.

Site Opinion: Veteran Impact

The potential signing of Ivan Perisic is more than just a headline-grabbing transfer for PSV—it’s a move that could bring a wealth of experience and tactical versatility to the squad at a critical juncture in their season. With the club competing on multiple fronts, including the Champions League, Eredivisie, and domestic cups, Perisic’s arrival could serve as a crucial boost to both squad depth and overall quality.

At 35, Perisic may be seen by some as approaching the twilight of his career, but his track record speaks volumes. Having played for elite clubs such as Bayern Munich, Internazionale, and Borussia Dortmund, he knows what it takes to compete and win at the highest level. His experience in the Champions League, where he lifted the trophy with Bayern in 2020, could be invaluable to PSV, particularly as they navigate a challenging European campaign. For a club that is looking to make a deep run in Europe, Perisic brings a mentality forged in some of the most intense and high-stakes environments in football.

Beyond his winning pedigree, Perisic’s versatility is perhaps one of his greatest assets. While naturally a left winger, he has also been deployed as a left-back and even in more central attacking roles during his career. This ability to adapt across multiple positions could provide PSV with much-needed flexibility, particularly as they grapple with injuries, including the long-term absence of Sergiño Dest. Whether used as a creative force up front or to shore up the defence, Perisic gives PSV a valuable tactical option, making him a vital piece of the puzzle for head coach Peter Bosz.