There’s been a lot of new Tottenham Hotspur transfers this summer.
In fact, you could argue that Spurs have done the best business out of any Premier League club.
Fabio Paratici has achieved a blend of big-money deals, free transfers and loan signings this summer.
One of those in the middle bracket is Ivan Perisic, who joined the Lilywhites on a Bosman upon the expiration of his Inter Milan contract this summer.
Antonio Conte knows a thing or two about the Croatia international, and Spurs supporters also know a thing or two about players from Perisic’s homeland.
Luka Modric is one of the most successful footballers of the modern era, winning five Champions League titles and a Ballon d’Or to boot.
And yet, he made his name as one of Europe’s great midfielders at Tottenham, en route to joining Real Madrid.
Perisic has admitted via The Mirror that he sought his compatriot’s advice – and permission to wear the number 14 shirt.
He said: ” I also called Luka later. I said to him that there is a possibility that I might come to his ex-club and he said to me all of the positive things about the club. He used to play at the old stadium and he used to train on the old training camp but everything is new here now, everything is much better and much more modern.
“We’re going to wear the same number. I asked him for his permission and he said, ‘Okay, you can take it’, and yeah it was fun.”
Of all the new Tottenham Hotspur transfers, it’s difficult to quantify who will be the best in terms of value long term.
That being said, Perisic is still only 33 and with his experience, work ethic and speed, this is someone who could hit the ground running in North London.
Conte’s side kick off their Premier League campaign on Saturday with a visit of Southampton.
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