Paris Saint-Germain and Sweden superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be set to join Manchester United, but only if manager Louis Van Gaal leaves the club.
Speculation has surrounded Ibrahimovic and his next destination since March when he announced that he would be leaving PSG once his contract expires at the end of the season. And the Swede has had no shortage of interest for his services, claiming in a press conference that he has serious interest from both the Premier League and the Chinese Super League.
But according to Sky sources, the striker has expressed a willingness to join English giants Manchester United but is hesitant about current Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.
Zlatan has previously made clear that he doesn’t have the best relationship with the Dutch manager, stating in his 2011 Autobiography “I am Zlatan” that the pair did not get along while working together at Ajax.
The Swede is also concerned about Manchester United’s style of play, which has been increasingly criticised under Van Gaal’s reign due to a lack attacking prowess. Manchester United have scored just 39 Premier League goals this season while newly promoted Bournemouth have scored 40.
But Ibrahimovic is apparently still keen on a move to Manchester as he believes the Premier League is a place he can still perform at a top level for another two years. But despite showing interest in a move to Old Trafford, the Swede would only consider a move if Van Gaal was to exit in the summer.
The lack of Champions League football could also be a factor for Ibrahimovic, with Manchester United’s 3-0 loss to Tottenham on the weekend making any hope of the club playing in the elite competition very slim.
Manchester United are not the only English team to be interested in Ibrahimovic, however, with West Ham also keen to land the striker as they prepare a move to the Olympic Stadium. West Ham co-owner David Sullivan told talkSPORT last month that he’d “love” to sign the Swede.
“I’d love Ibrahimovic from PSG, but whether he’d come to us I don’t know,” he said. “I know he’s 34 but he’s a fantastic player.”
According to Sky Sources, an un-named Chinese Super League club is also ready to pay Ibrahimovic an astronomical £56 million over two years, meaning the player could earn up to £28 million a season. Chinese clubs have recently shown their incredible spending power, signing the likes of Jackson Martinez for £31 million and £25 million for Ramires.
Whether the rumours regarding Manchester United and Ibrahimovic are true is anyone’s guess, but we’re sure most football fans would love to finally see Zlatan playing in the English Premier League.
