Manchester United ready to axe Zlatan Ibrahimovic by giving up on his contract extension talks
Jose Mourinho is eyeing moves for Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku instead
MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to withdraw their contract offer to Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The striker, 35, dragged his feet on the new deal being offered in the spring.
Now United are likely to close the door on crocked Ibra’s hopes of remaining.
His agent Mino Raiola said: “There’s a possibility that he stays — but also that he does not. We have talked, he has a lot of offers and ideas that we have to evaluate.”
Ibra, who has been ruled out for the next few months with a cruciate injury, told friends last week he believes he can be fit again in November.
But boss Jose Mourinho is eyeing moves for Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku as he looks to revamp his striking options.
And Raiola said: “Zlatan had a fantastic time at United and it’s now up to us and the club to decide.
“We have a date for that but now is time to recover. He wants to stay in England, at the top. If he sees he is a valuable asset for United he’ll stay.
“But he knows he can be a valuable asset for other top clubs also.
“I think it is respectful to talk to United and see what all parties want.”
Ibra was given a glowing report by his surgeon — which increased hopes of a speedy recovery.
Dr Freddie Fu discovered the knee was in otherwise perfect condition — with the main tendon THREE times bigger than average.