Not a lot of modern-day footballers decline monumental salaries and bonuses, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic has always been different from the rest. The Swede is all set to snub a humongous £120 million offer from a Chinese club to extend his contract at Manchester United.
Since the turn of the year, Chinese clubs have been luring European footballers by offering them mind-boggling salaries and bonuses. The likes of Jackson Martinez, Ramires, Alex Texeira and Hulk all have left Europe for bigger pay packets, and Chelsea footballer Oscar is all set to follow suit in January.
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However, despite repeated enquiries, it seems Ibrahimovic has turned down all offers from Chinese clubs. The Chinese government are eager to bankroll the move, knowing that if the European superstar comes, the ratings and fan following of the league will increase exponentially. They had approached him in the last window with a £56 million offer, but that was rejected as well.
The 35-year-old, who joined Manchester United this summer on a free transfer from Paris St. Germain has been in exceptional form of late. He has scored 10 goals in the last 9 matches, including a wonderful brace against West Bromwich Albion last night.
He had a dip in form in October, but has returned to form in spectacular fashion, so much so that he is the first United player since Ruud van Nistelrooy to score 16 goals for the season before Christmas.
Ibrahimovic eager to stay at Old Trafford
United and Jose Mourinho, both have confirmed that the former Ajax striker will be offered a one-year contract extension, and it seems Ibrahimovic is eager to prove a point before his final bow as well.
“I'm here. I'm here to play. I want to play,” he told BT Sport. “As a football player, you get blind sometimes because you have to listen to your body. As long as he needs me and the team needs me I'm here.”
Swede’s influence on the club
Mourinho has repeatedly expressed his admiration of the striker, and in particular his hunger and fitness. Having played 25 games already, the Swede has shown no signs of fatigue and is leading the scoring charts for the Red Devils. Moreover, his discipline and hard work has had a positive influence on the younger players in the squad as well.
United are now unbeaten in their last 10 games and have won the last 3 on the trot, so it is obvious that they are improving and Ibrahimovic is spearheading that change. In his own words, “In my mind, I'm fresh. I'm like a 20-year-old boy. I feel fresh, I feel good and I'll keep going.”
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It is obvious that the Swede wants to add the Premier League trophy to his glittering cabinet, and looks forward to accomplishing the same next season, if not this one.
