Zlatan Ibrahimovic will reportedly sign a one-year deal with Manchester United before the start of Euro 2016.
Ibrahimovic will be the first big-name signing for new manager Jose Mourinho, as he seeks to remake Man U. into a powerhouse once again.Zlatan’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired after this season and he let it be known that he would be moving on after a wildly successful four-year run with the club. The 34-year-old scored a ridiculous 50 goals in 51 total appearances this season for PSG and totaled 156 goals in 180 appearances for Les Rouge-et-Bleu. Considering his age, those are some pretty remarkable numbers.
In moving to Manchester United, the Swedish international star will be reuniting with Mourinho, who was his manager at Inter Milan during the 2008-09 season. That year Inter won Italy’s Serie A and the Italian Super Cup, while also reaching the Round of 16 of the Champions League. Zlatan departed for FC Barcelona after the season, and Inter went on to win the Champions League without him.
While Ibrahimovic has been wildly successful during his career, he has never won a Champions League title and he has never played in England’s Premier League. A chance to sign with United and potentially accomplish both of those goals was likely too much to pass up.
Manchester United can now also boast two of soccer’s most entertaining personalities. Mourinho and Zlatan are both incredible on the field, but just as fun off of it. They are talkers and should at least make pre- and post-match press conferences a heck of a lot more newsworthy.
Manchester United will swoop for Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer as new manager Jose Mourinho's first marquee signing at Old Trafford, Sky Sports reported on Friday.
United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is finalising a one-year deal with the player's representatives and the 34-year-old could join before Euro 2016, Sky sources said.
Sweden's first Group E match against Ireland is on June 13.
The former Malmo, Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan striker, whose Paris St Germain contract is about to expire, wants to add the Premier League title to a trophy cabinet that already includes the Dutch, Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1 crowns.
The prolific Ibrahimovic scored 11 of Sweden's 19 goals in Euro qualifying including three out of four in a playoff win over Denmark that booked their place at the finals in France.
The tall Swede finished his career at PSG by helping the club to their second successive treble with two goals in a 4-2 victory over Olympique de Marseille in the French Cup final.
Ibrahimovic had already celebrated his last PSG game at the Parc des Princes against Nantes by breaking the club's scoring record in a top-flight season with a double, taking his tally to 38 goals, one more than Carlos Bianchi in the 1977-78 season.
Manchester United will sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic and could complete deal before Euro 2016 - Sky sources
Manchester United will complete the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and could conclude a deal before the start of Euro 2016, according to Sky sources.
It is understood United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Ibrahimovic's representatives are finalising terms on a one-year contract, with Jose Mourinho determined to make the Sweden international his first marquee signing at Old Trafford.
And a free transfer following the expiration of his current Paris Saint-Germain deal is expected to be completed before Sweden's first Group E match against Ireland on June 13.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirms he has had several offers to join Premier League clubs
Sky sources understand Ibrahimovic is the only striker Mourinho wants to sign this summer, with the Portuguese convinced Marcus Rashford can make a significant impact at Old Trafford next season.
While Mourinho believes Ibrahimovic is a key signing that United need if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next term, he is also keen to give Rashford plenty of opportunities to continue his rapid development.
Sky Sports News HQ has been told that Mourinho is conscious of the need to continue United's legacy of bringing through young players into the first team, and even passed on the opportunity to sign Leicester's Jamie Vardy this week so as to protect Rashford's progress.
Ibrahimovic is a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain
Sky sources first reported United's interest in the former Malmo FF, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan star back in May, ahead of Mourinho's appointment to replace Louis van Gaal.
Talks between United and Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola gathered pace following Mourinho's arrival at Old Trafford, and Sky sources subsequently reported last week that they were only Premier League club Ibrahimovic was considering.
It is understood the 6ft 5in, Malmo-born Swede wants to add the Premier League to his array of titles that includes the Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1 and Dutch Eredivisie.
Ibrahimovic had more lucrative offers from Chinese Super League clubs and options in Italy, but it appears he has been convinced to move to Manchester for a reunion with Mourinho, and that it's the right move to make at this stage of his illustrious career.
