COMMENT: Don't shut the door just yet Manchester United fans. At least, not on Ivan Perisic. That fourth signing Jose has been banging on about could still happen.
He wasn't ruling it out on Friday, was Jose Mourinho. Yeah, with a week to run before this summer's transfer window slams shut, the chances were fading. That new winger. Attacking midfielder. However you might describe it. Was proving elusive.
"Everyone knows I would like a fourth player and I can't hide that because I had it in my mind," Mourinho reiterated before Saturday's victory over Leicester City. "But I am happy if I am not going to have [a fourth player] and I don't think I am going to have."
So the manager does want that new winger. This is clear. But a canny Jose, eager to avoid the problems engulfing Chelsea over Antonio Conte's frustrations, wasn't about to vent in public.
"I was the first to tell my board not to feel any kind of pressure from me in that respect," he was quick to add, "but probably next summer, I have to try to get a player for a position that I think can make us stronger."
So no "pressure". No dramas. If Ed Woodward, the vice-chairman exec, can't reach a deal, then three out of four ain't bad...
Don't you believe it. Mourinho knows it. Woodward knows it. And everyone connected to Inter Milan and Perisic feel the same. With the clock ticking. And all parties open. A deal is still there to be done.
An improved contract tabled by Inter is now a month old - and remains unsigned. Fali Ramadani, Perisic's prime agent, was in Milan on Thursday to meet with Inter directors. This just days after he'd been spotted in Manchester. There's no confirmation on the English side of the table regarding talks with United. But you can easily put two and two together...
Thursday morning in Milan, there was a real belief a breakthrough would be found. But Ramadani left the summit with nothing settled. Although the feedback received on Perisic was glowing.
Indeed, if this deal is to happen - and developments on Saturday do suggest momentum is again gathering - much of it will be down to Perisic and his attitude since the start of preseason.
The Croatia international, at 28, wants this move. He knows this chance is unlikely to come around again. And Inter directors have also been made aware of his ambitions. Piero Ausilio, the club's football director, and coach Luciano Spalletti have both spoken openly of United's interest. There's nothing cloak-and-dagger about this one.
And while United and Inter have gone back and forth over a valuation, Perisic has kept up his side of the bargain. There's been no downing of tools. No going AWOL. No mystery illness or injury. From the moment he stepped onto that preseason flight to China, Perisic's attitude has been exceptional. He's trained at 100 per cent. As has he's played. Even on Saturday, for Inter's dramatic come-from-behind win at Roma, it was the Croatian who provided two assists in the 3-1 triumph.
And it's this approach which has convinced Inter to leave the door open to Woodward. Indeed, so much so that Ausilio and co have identified - and contacted - a potential replacement should United finally meet their asking price.
Tribalfootball.com has learned in the last 24 hours that Ausilio has spoken to Keita Balde Diao's camp about relocating from Rome to Milan. The Lazio striker is effectively up for sale - as coach Simone Inzaghi confirmed on Saturday - and can leave for the right price. A goalscorer who can also play on the flank, yet six years Perisic's junior, Keita is viewed as the ideal replacement. The message from Ausilio has been simple: keep your nerve and you'll be an Inter player this week. As soon as the United money hits their bank account a significant wedge will be transferred to Lazio's. The deal is in place - it now hinges on Woodward meeting their expectations.
Which was why Mourinho was all comme ci comme ca on Friday. Publicly, he's telling Inter's top brass there's no real desperation to get something done this week. But inside the club - and what was relayed to Ramadani was something very different.
The backchannels have long remained open. Negotiations are still alive. And thanks to Perisic, there's goodwill on both sides to get this one done. It's now in Woodward's hands to get it over the line.
