Manchester United transfer news: Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be offered new Old Trafford contract should Romelu Lukaku fail to hit the ground running
Veteran Swedish striker is so impressed by the Red Devils' treatment towards him during his recovery from season-ending ACL injury that he will prioritise them if given the chance
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC could be offered a new Manchester United contract next season.
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is closing in on a £75million Old Trafford move - and will replace the Swede up front.
But if Ibra, 35, recovers from the ACL that ended his season in April, according to , United could offer him a new deal.
Any potential new contract offer would depend on how successful Lukaku, 24, is next term.
United sources reckon if Jose Mourinho believes his team needs more goals, he will turn to Ibrahimovic.
The club were desperate for Ibrahimovic to sign a one-year extension - amid interest from the MLS and Chinese Super League - before injury struck last term.
And it is believed Ibra is so impressed by United's treatment towards him that he will give them priority should he recover before the year is over.
Man United transfer news
The seasoned hitman, who scored 28 goals in all competitions and won two trophies last season, shared a video of himself taking part in light training in May.
Ibra's KO last term caused United chief Ed Woodward to immediately plot a deal for Lukaku.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic factfile
- Born in Malmo, Sweden, to a Bosnian father and Croatian mother on October 3, 1981
- Played in various youth teams in Malmo but was close to quitting football at age 15 to become a dock worker
- Signed his first pro contract with Malmo FF in 1996, making his debut in 1999
- Has won 11 league titles in four countries with Ajax, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain - would have been two more but his Juventus titles were stripped over the Calciopioli scandal
- Helped Manchester United to the League Cup and Europa League but suffered a serious knee injury that ended his Old Trafford career
- Has scored 420 goals in 723 matches and is also Sweden's all-time top scorer with 62 goals in 116 international matches
- Three time winner of Serie A player of the Year, three-time winner of Ligue 1 player of the year and voted four times in the Uefa Team of the Year
- The only player to have scored a goal in De Klassieker in Netherlands, Derby della Madonnina and Derby d'Italia in Italy, El Clasico and Derbi Barceloni in Spain, Le Classique in France and the Manchester Derby and North-West Derby in England
- In 2016-17 he became the oldest player to reach 15 Premier League goals in a season
Chelsea were frontrunners to sign their former player, but United's tenacious approach is said to have won over the Belgian.
He is also represented by Mino Raiola - the same agent who looks after Ibrahimovic and close pal Paul Pogba.
Wayne Rooney's sensational return to Everton is also a factor in allowing Lukaku to move the other way.
Rooney, 31, yesterday underwent a medical at the Toffees' Finch Farm training ground, with the club expected to unveil him in the next 48 hours.