Zlatan Ibrahimovic to join Jose Mourinho at Manchester United by start of Euro 2016
Sponsored by
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to join Manchester United after Jose Mourinho is confirmed as Old Trafford boss.
Mourinho will replace Louis van Gaal as boss this week, despite the Dutchman claiming FA Cup glory against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
And Ibrahimovic, 34, will be top of the Portuguese manager’s shopping list when he officially lands the job he has craved since being axed by Chelsea five months ago.
The Swedish striker is available on a free transfer after choosing not to extend his goal-laden spell at Paris Saint-Germain beyond this season.
Ibrahimovic and Mourinho maintain a strong relationship after their title-winning season together at Inter Milan in 2009.
And the Special One’s arrival at United will prove the deciding factor when the forward elects his new club.
According to reports in France, the star hopes to complete a switch to Manchester before the start of Euro 2016.
claims that Ibrahimovic has instructed agent Mino Raiola to snub mega-money discussions with clubs in the MLS and China to seal a reunion with Mourinho before the championships begin on June 10.
Last week it was reported that United had offered the former Barcelona and AC Milan ace a one-year deal with the option of an extra season.
Ibrahimovic has been strongly linked with a move to LA Galaxy but it is understood he would prefer to move to the US after playing at least one season in England.
Premier League rivals Chelsea and West Ham have also registered an interest in the attacker in recent weeks but Mourinho’s arrival has put the Red Devils firmly in the driving seat.
Ibrahimovic – who scored his 50th goal of the season to help PSG win the French Cup on Saturday – is believed to asking for a salary equivalent to the £300,000-a-week after-tax deal he earned in France.
He is willing to move to United despite the lack of Champions League football next season, if they stump up the cash.
Ibrahimovic is likely to be the first of a number of high-profile signings at Old Trafford this summer.
It is believed Mourinho will also target Everton defender John Stones, Valencia midfielder Andre Gomes and Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain.