Ivan Perisic has already stoked the rivalry in north London by insisting it was ‘obvious’ Tottenham would beat Arsenal to the top four, as he signed a two-year contract from Inter Milan.
His switch was confirmed by Spurs a few minutes after he put a statement out paying tribute to his ‘unforgettable’ time in Serie A.
Perisic leaves the Italian side after seven years, albeit with one season spent on loan at Bayern Munich. He won Serie A under Conte’s guidance at Inter, as well as the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup.
Turning to his new club, he wasted no time in talking up Tottenham’s superiority over bitter rivals Arsenal.
Ivan Perisic has signed for Tottenham on a two-year contract after leaving Inter Milan
‘I was waiting [in] the last two to three games, I was watching,’ he told SpursTV.
‘After the victory against Arsenal, it was obvious Tottenham would go in the Champions League and it was good for me because I want to play the best games, do a great job in Champions League and Premier League and both cups.
‘I’m really excited to start with the Spurs family. When I got a call from the coach and sporting director, I said I really wanted to play in the Premier League since 2009 when I starting to play professional football in Belgium.
‘This is the moment and I can’t wait.
‘It was always my dream to play in the best five leagues in the world and the Premier League was a missing puzzle [piece]. Now I’m here and my hope is it’s going to be perfect.’
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Getting top four was always going to open doors to a calibre of player Tottenham needed to bridge the gap domestically and Perisic’s switch has proved that.
It also shows the pull Conte has in the game, with Perisic delighted to be reunited with the Italian.
‘It’s a privilege to work with a coach like this,’ he continued.
‘He’s living football, every minute, ever hour, every day. When he’s sleeping, he’s…