Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract at Manchester United ends on 30 June and the club have announced that he will be released. The Swedish striker had signed a one-year deal last year with the option for a second but a knee ligament injury in April ended his season and also put in jeopardy his future at Old Trafford.
The option for a second year had not been triggered by either camp, possibly because they were waiting to see how the season panned out and what Jose Mourinho planned to do in the transfer market. Unfortunately for 35-year-old Ibrahimovic, it means he now needs to look elsewhere while he recovers.
We look at five possible destinations for the striker.
1) AC Milan
Having played in a number of top leagues across Europe, it was in Italy that he really made a name for himself. And he has fond memories of AC Milan – the last Serie A club he represented before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain.
In two seasons, Ibrahimovic scored 56 goals in all competitions for the Rossoneri winning one league title. His second season even saw him finish the league’s top goalscorer with 28 goals in only 32 games.
However, Milan have come a long way since his final season at the San Siro. They are no longer a Champions League team and are trying to rebuild the squad under new ownership. But he could be exactly the kind of experience they need to take the step up to the top four (from the 2017/18 season onwards, the top four teams from Italy automatically qualify for the Champions League).
Only Carlos Bacca managed to reach double-digits for goals scored with 13 in Serie A. Ibrahimovic could easily improve the side in the final third.
A January move, perhaps?
2) Major League Soccer
Playing in the MLS in the United States of America is basically an admission by a player that he no longer has what it takes to compete in the more challenging leagues in Europe. But the MLS has picked up the pace in recent years even though it remains a destination for players looking for one last big payday before hanging up their boots.
Ibrahimovic’s form in the 2016/17 season suggests he is nowhere close to approaching retirement. 28 goals in all competitions (17 in the league) made him the club’s top goalscorer by a mile.
But the injury has thrown a spanner in the works and he could do with some time off till he is back to 100%. The MLS thus represents a good option considering their regular season starts only in March.
It gives Ibrahimovic plenty of time to get fit before pre-season and the Designated Player Rule would see him outside the team’s salary cap, thereby allowing him to negotiate higher wages.
3) Malmo FF
Where it all began for a gangly teenager destined for great things. 21 years after signing his first ever contract, it would be an emotional return for Ibrahimovic as his career comes full circle.
They still hold the record for the most Swedish championships and have won three of the last four championships. And this year they are currently top of the table (with a game in hand).
A return to Sweden would also suit Ibrahimovic’s needs. The cold winters ensure that the football season does not start until April and they go on until November.
Moreover, it’s a 30-game season. It won’t be as punishing as the English schedule which saw Mourinho playing Ibrahimovic in the Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League!
4) Napoli
“A move to Napoli? You never know. We will see what happens.”
Ibrahimovic was pretty coy when he was asked about a possible move to Naples in March this year. But why Napoli? It all began when his agent Mino Raiola suggested he could wear the famous blue shirt before he retired.
“Zlatan has always been in love with the city of Naples and [Napoli president Aurelio] De Laurentiis has got to know him,” he had said in February.
Napoli have been in the title race off and on in the past few seasons. Ibrahimovic’s inclusion in the squad would give them the push required to go all the way.
With Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne in the forward line, Napoli could be a veritable force in Serie A and Europe.
5) Real Madrid
Before you scornfully dismiss the idea, consider the present scenario. Karim Benzema has just had his worst season since his debut campaign, scoring fewer than 20 goals in all competitions for the first time since 2009/10. The French striker’s role has changed a bit ever since Cristiano Ronaldo has come into the box more often, effectively playing as a second striker.
Real Madrid are probably one of the few top clubs that can afford Ibrahimovic’s wages. Should Benzema fail to perform in the 2017/18 season, a six-month spell for Ibrahimovic when he is back to full fitness would not be a bad idea.
He has played for Barcelona in the past but his acrimonious exit suggests that he won’t stay loyal to the Camp Nou club. Besides, he has played for Juventus, Inter and AC Milan one after the other in Serie A. What loyalty?
Florentino Perez loves a Galactico signing and Ibrahimovic would represent a major coup if it works in the club’s favour. The only issue would be convincing Zinedine Zidane who has so far shown no inclination for big-money Galactico signings.
But then again, Ibrahimovic would be a free transfer. So why not?
