A few months on from the summer transfer window, you could argue Ivan Perisic has been Tottenham Hotspur‘s best signing.
The Croatia international was one of six senior players to join Spurs during the off-season, along with Richarlison, Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma, Clement Lenglet [loan] and Fraser Forster.
But with Richarlison being injured in recent weeks, Perisic has certainly been the Lilywhites’ most active signing in terms of playing time.
And the fact that he was absolutely free means that Fabio Paratici will have impressed Daniel Levy with this piece of business.
Levy knows a thing or two about securing a bargain for Tottenham, whether it’s outgoings or incomings.
And with Paratici picking up the former Inter Milan winger on a Bosman then, well, suffice to say his boss will be loving this masterstroke.
And it is a masterstroke of a signing.
Even last night, Perisic’s experience and ability came in very handy as Antonio Conte’s side secured a massive 2-1 victory away to Marseille to progress into the knockout phase of the Champions League.
Prior to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s last-minute winner, Spurs were under the cosh and a home goal would’ve eliminated them.
And a stunning goal-saving block from Perisic – who set up the all-important Lenglet equaliser – means that the 33-year-old is already putting some younger players to shame in terms of influence.
He won’t get the headlines of a Richarlison – who cost a club-record £60 million [The Athletic] – or the goals, but that doesn’t mean Perisic hasn’t been a sensational piece of business all the same.
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