Inter Milan boss Luciano Spalletti has hit out at Arsenal for “conning” Ivan Perisic into thinking a genuine January transfer offer was on the table.
The Gunners had reportedly made an approach to Inter about the availability of the 29-year-old winger.
They were believed to have wanted to loan the Croatia international until the end of the season with an option to buy him permanently in the summer.
Perisic even handed in a transfer request to try and force a move to the London club.
Spalletti claims the bid for his player was “not a true offer” and they misled him.
Speaking to Rai Sport after Inter’s defeat to Lazio, Spalletti said: “We’ve got to get Perisic back on track, but also Nainggolan, as he had injuries, setbacks and various issues. He needs time on the field and patience.
“As for Perisic, there was this story on the market, but he is a professional, understands his role and yesterday it was already a very different mood.
“These things happen in the transfer window, the player received an impressive proposal and was tempted. However, he then realised it was not a true offer, that he’d been conned, and took a step back.
“Now he’ll resume training and as soon as his mind is back fully on Inter, we’ll let him play.”
With Perisic remaining in Italy, Arsenal completed just a single January signing as Denis Suarez was brought to the Emirates from Barcelona on loan with the option to buy him outright at the end of the season.