Everton have received a potentially significant boost in their pursuit of Inter midfielder Ivan Perisic, with the January transfer window fast approaching.

What's the story?

The Toffees were first linked with a move for the highly-rated 32-year-old last month when they were named amongst his possible destinations should terms on a new contract at San Siro not be agreed.

And now, according to Italian outlet Tuttosport, Perisic has decided to call time on his Inter career, opening the door to an imminent exit.

The original report states that: "The winger has long ago made it known that he is not interested in extending the contract expiring on 30 June: for him the most probable horizons would be the return to Germany or the landing in England."

Brands could find Everton's James heir

Enticing Perisic to Goodison Park over the winter window would be a significant coup for director of football Marcel Brands, but it would also secure the additional creativity that Everton require in the middle of the pitch.

James Rodriquez's late departure for Qatari club Al Rayyan back in September has left Rafa Benitez's charges void of the guile and imagination needed to carve elite-level defences open, and that's a problem that Perisic could certainly solve.

Throughout his career, the hard-working winger has racked up a plethora of major honours, winning one Champions League crown, two Bundesligas, one Serie A title and three DFB-Pokals.

He was lauded as a “top-quality player” by compatriot Dejan Lovren prior to playing a pivotal part in Croatia’s run to the World Cup final in 2018, before then joining Bayern Munich on loan a year later.

Perisic enjoyed a fabulous 2019/20 at the Allianz Arena, with the £125,000-per-week beast featuring 35 times in all competitions as Hansi Flick’s charges pulled off an incredible treble-winning campaign.

Since then, the 6 foot 1 attacker has re-established himself as a key player at Inter, starting 20 league games as the Nerazzurri claimed their first Serie A title in 11 years last term, ending Juventus' dominance.

Despite his age, Perisic would provide a much-needed injection of creativity to Benitez's out-of-form charges, and his arrival could be the catalyst required to revive their stuttering season.

And, in other news...Brands could be on the verge of repeating Everton's awful Thierry Small disaster