Manchester United are struggling to agree a fee for Ivan Perisic. (Getty Images)

Manchester United are at a standstill in negotiations for Ivan Perisic with Inter refusing to budge over their £48 million asking price.

Jose Mourinho has warned his former club that United will not be held to ransom this summer and has admitted that he is ready to accept three new signings instead of the four he initially wanted at the start of the window.

The United manager has also revealed that he has put forward several options to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in the event that his first-choice target could not be acquired.

Mourinho has already been forced to switch from Eric Dier to Nemanja Matic following Tottenham’s refusal to entertain offers, and alternative options could now be explored for Perisic given Inter’s reluctance to lower their valuation.

Here are five players Mourinho could turn to if he gives up on the Croatia international.

WILLIAN

Jose Mourinho wanted Willian at Manchester United last summer. (Getty Images)

Arguably even more difficult to acquire than Perisic, Willian looks like he is staying put at Chelsea this summer.

The Brazilian was one of the only players to pull their weight during Mourinho’s turbulent final months at Chelsea in 2015, and the United manager attempted to bring the player with him to Old Trafford last year.

Chelsea, however, refused United’s advances and look set to do so again, especially since they are without Eden Hazard for the start of the campaign and have struggled in their own pursuit of adding a new wide attacker to Antonio Conte’s squad.

The only glimmer of hope for Mourinho is that Willian was used sparingly last season and would be offered a more regular role in United’s attack.

But with Chelsea back in the Champions League and Willian set to be given the chance to impress in Hazard’s absence, United would struggle to pull this deal off.

THOMAS LEMAR

Thomas Lemar is one of Monaco’s brightest young stars. (AFP/Getty Images)

Having already muscled in on Chelsea’s deal to sign Romelu Lukaku, United could snatch another priority target from a Premier League rival.

Arsenal are keen on signing Thomas Lemar but Monaco are demanding £80 million for the France international.

Lemar would offer Mourinho another versatile option in attack as he is not only capable of playing wide left, but he is adept at operating in central areas.

The Frenchman also has the characteristics of an attacking midfielder capable of providing the difference for United – the ability to beat a defender and an excellent end product.

Statistically, there was little to split Lemar and Perisic last season as the Frenchman registered nine goals and 10 assists to the Croatian’s 11 goals and eight assists.

But at just 21, Lemar represents far greater long-term value than Perisic.

RIYAD MAHREZ

Riyad Mahrez is looking to leave Leicester City this summer. (AMA/Getty Images)

Mahrez is definitely available after confirming that he wants to leave Leicester City and Arsenal, Tottenham and Roma are all interested.

The Algerian would represent another expensive option for United as Leicester are demanding £50m, but after a subdued season and a lack of offers in that region so far, their asking price is likely to be lowered.

After starring in Leicester’s title triumph and winning the PFA Player of the Year, Mahrez was unable to deliver for a second successive campaign, which raises questions over his consistency.

The 26-year-old’s lack of defensive nous would also be a source of concern for Mourinho, who tasked Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard with similar roles at times last season.

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be available for a cut-price fee this summer. (Getty Images)

With just a year remaining on his current contract, Oxlade-Chamberlain potentially represents the cheapest option as reports claim that Arsenal would accept a £25m bid with Liverpool waiting in the wings.

Publicly, Arsene Wenger has insisted that the 23-year-old will ‘100 per cent’ stay at Arsenal for another season.

But Oxlade-Chamberlain was given only 16 starts in the Premier League last season and a further 13 appearances as a substitute, and a similar campaign could jeopardise his hopes of a place in England’s World Cup squad next year.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has shown that he would offer Mourinho versatility as he is capable of playing as a winger, a right-back and a central midfielder, but he lacks the same trickery and proactive style offered by the likes of Perisic, Lemar and Mahrez.

GELSON MARTINS

Gelson Martins was on Liverpool’s shortlist earlier this summer. (Getty Images)

Mourinho admits he constantly monitors the Portuguese top flight and it’s unlikely that Gelson Martins would have escaped his attention after an impressive campaign for Sporting.

Martins is an incredibly exciting player who is blessed with blistering pace and an array of tricks which makes him a nightmare for defenders.

Liverpool considered the Portugal international as an alternative to Mohamed Salah and it’s not difficult to see he was on Jurgen Klopp’s radar.

At 22, Martins has plenty of time to improve and he already possesses the natural talent required of an explosive winger capable of changing games.

Sporting have wisely put a €60m (£54m) release clause in his contract, although reports in Portugal claim that the club would be open to selling for a lower fee this summer.

A move would be a gamble by Mourinho, given the vast step up Martins would need to make to have an immediate impact in the Premier League.

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