Inter winger Ivan Perisic has held a long form interview with footabll magazine FourFourTwo, where the 29-year-old discussed the past year of his career, Manchester United interested and his future aspirations.

“The year is not over yet but it has certainly been a year to remember for me. The success achieved in Russia with Croatia has undoubtedly been the greatest and most precious of my career, but I have also lived many beautiful and successful moments in the last 12 months. The fact Inter are back in the Champions League after such a long period of time gives me reason to think that this was absolutely the best year of my career,” he said.

“Inter did not qualify for the Champions League in the last 6 years, and for a club that is so well known it’s a very long time, luckily we were able to bring the Champions League back to the San Siro. I’m really happy to be part of this story because it was not a walk in the park. The quality of Italian football has improved a lot in recent years and there are several strong teams, maybe we did not have the right team to win the Scudetto but we wanted to fight for a place in the first four and go to the Champions League The match against Lazio was really stressful and it probably perfectly sums up our season in 90 minutes, we had to reassemble twice but in the end we won and it was an incredible emotion to celebrate at the Olimpico.

“I am happy to be back in the Champions League after several years, I made my debut with Borussia Dortmund but at that time I was maybe the 12th or 13th of the team and I was not involved in all the matches. Playing regularly on this stage was something I I wanted it for a long time, we started the group well, now we have to complete the work in the final matches to see where we are in relation to the best European teams.”

Perisic is part of a strong Croatian contingent at the club alongside Marcelo Brozovic and Sime Vrsaljko.

“It’s great to share the locker room with your teammates in the National team. It all becomes easier when you have someone who speaks your own language by your side, and we are also very good friends off the field and this makes our life in Milan easier. Inter has signed a top player like Vrsaljko and I’m sure Sime will help us achieve good results this season.”

He went on to speak about the difference Luciano Spalletti made and revealed he played a huge role in him knocking back Manchester United.

“When Spalletti arrived, I was very close to leaving the club. But he always showed a tremendous desire to keep me in the team and he also openly explained that he did not want to lose me. Obviously it was something that flattered and encouraged me, and I never regretted the decision to stay at Inter, not even for a single second. He obviously made the difference to our results, bringing Inter back into the middle of Europe’s elite clubs

“It’s true, there was a Manchester United bid on the table and I was very close to leaving Inter. But in the end I decided to stay and Spalletti’s perseverance in keeping me played an important role. In football, small details are the key to such situations.

“The admiration of a coach like Mourinho undoubtedly flatters me, confirming the hard work and the good performances.When you’re praised by a coach of a great team like United, it’s hard not to think about such an offer. such an important opinion about me and these things motivate me to train hard to get better results.”

He concluded by admitting he wishes to try out other leagues before the end of his career.

“Would I play in the Premier League? Never say never in football. I’ve had the ambition to play in as many big leagues as possible, and I still want to test myself in other leagues, like the Spanish or English ones. Inter can understand my point of view, I am an athlete and I am a professional, I like challenges and this is my driving force What the future will bring I do not know but for now I am focused on Inter.”