Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirms interest from Premier League over summer transfer
Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that he is listening to offers from Premier League clubs ahead of a summer transfer. The Swedish striker’s contract at the Ligue 1 club runs out at the end of the season and he is a free agent with many clubs from various leagues jostling for his signature.
Ibrahimovic has already scored 35 goals this season and the 34-year-old has not showed signs of stopping. PSG wrapped up the Ligue 1 title in record time in mid-March when they defeated Troyes 9-0 and Ibrahimovic had scored 4 goals in that game alone.
With rumoured interest from Qatar and the China, the interest from the Premier League will see Ibrahimovic stay in Europe. A report suggested that the Chinese government was willing to fund a deal to pay him €75 million a year to bring him to the Chinese Super League – a league which has already signed a number of players for big money, especially from Brazil.
Although he has played for other top European clubs such as Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan, he has never played in England despite many rumours linking him to cash-rich clubs over the years.
Speaking ahead of Sweden’s friendly match against Czech Republic, Ibrahimovic confirmed that there was interest from the Premier League.
“Yes, there is interest from the Premier League, I can confirm that,” Ibrahimovic said.
“The Premier League is the league in the world all people and fans speak about.
“A lot of things have to feel fine when I’m going to take a decision this summer,” he explained.
More: Top 5 likely destinations for Zlatan Ibrahimovic next season
Which club could Ibrahimovic join in the EPL?
The biggest hurdle to signing Ibrahimovic would not be his fitness. He has averaged 35 goals in all competitions in the last five seasons and looks well set to score more than 40 this season with plenty of games to go in Ligue 1 and Champions League.
The only stumbling block would be his wages and preferred city to live in. Ibrahimovic earns more than £250,000 a week in wages. It is a figure only three top clubs would willingly pay – Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Reports claim Ibrahimovic would prefer a move to London but with Chelsea looking set to lose out on Champions League football next season (they are currently in 10th place – 10 points behind a top four spot), it looks increasingly difficult.
Arsenal would not be in for Ibrahimovic mainly because of the wages. Arsene Wenger is a firm believer in a socialist wage structure where one players is not given preferential treatment or ludicrous wages.
Manchester City may also not be an option considering his feud with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. With the Catalan manager set to take over this summer, it is highly unlikely he will work with a player like Ibrahimovic again.
Which leaves Manchester United in pole position to sign him, if they qualify for the Champions League. With Jose Mourinho reported to have signed a pre-contract with the Old Trafford club, he could sign Ibrahimovic having worked with him during his glory days at Inter.
Ultimately, it will depend on which club Ibrahimovic fancies and who offers him the sweetest deal considering he is a free agent.