Zlatan Ibraimovic turns 34 years old in October and he will be a free agent on July 1, 2016. As it stands, PSG are unlikely to offer him a new contract, bringing to an end their Ibra-experiment.
It has been more than successful: Three Ligue 1 titles (and counting), two Coupe de la Ligue trophies and the Coupe de France crown they won against Bastia at the Stade de France in May.
The Swedish superstar, perhaps to his detriment, will feel that he has one big move left in his legs, and despite signs that his career is winding down, he may want one more stab at Europe's biggest prize. But there are not many clubs left where he'd have a chance to lift the famous trophy.
Here are some options that may lie ahead for Zlatan.
CHELSEA
Under the guidance of the Jose Mourinho Inter Milan, Ibrahimovic scored 29 goals in all competitions in 2008-09, beating the 21 he managed at Ajax and his previous season's best of 22. It was clear that they clicked both on and off the pitch. “We worked together for one year at Inter; the feeling was great between us and my only regret is that we were together for only one year,” Ibrahimovic told Telefoot.
If Radamel Falcao's current loan move is more “Manchester United” than “Atletico Madrid”, Mourinho may look elsewhere for a veteran striker to help guide Chelsea towards European and domestic glory, especially if a free transfer is on the table.
For Chelsea, it would be a low-risk move, and Jose has proved in the past he is the man to tame the beast. It would also give the striker a chance to play in the Premier League, in the one major European league he has yet to conquer. It would be a move that would excite everyone involved.
AC MILAN
After his spell in Spain under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, Ibrahimovic made his return to Serie A with AC Milan. Massimilano Allegri was the coach of the Rossoneri, and in two seasons Zlatan scored 56 goals.It was in the second season, as Milan finished runners-up in the league, where he was particularly unstoppable, scoring 35 in all competitions.
It had been rumoured this summer that Silvio Berlusconi was keen in trying to fund a glorious return for Ibrahimovic at Milan, but after the signings of Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano, it seems unlikely Zlatan could blende into their attacking options. Nonetheless, the boost it could give the image of the club, both on and off the field, would be attractive.
In his time in Italy, Ibrahimovic won four scudettos – six if you count the two that were revoked while at Juventus – and three Supercoppa Italianas, and it is that success that means he will always be linked with a move back to the Italian peninsula. Juventus would not be possible as he burned too many bridges when he left Turin, but perhaps, he could even join Roma to complete the set of Serie A giants.
– #360BUSINESS: CSL's financial boom highlights boundless ambition
– #360VIEW: Jese can grasp final chance to prove he belongs to Real
– FROM DROGBA TO GYAN: CSL's biggest foreign imports
– INSIDE STORY: Inter seeking to return to football's top table
MLS
"I think it would be an amazing experience," Ibrahimovic has said of playing in MLS. "I see that soccer is growing a lot in the US. I mean, I was here 10 years ago and soccer was not on the level that it is today, but it's growing. It's growing in the right direction and I want it to be on the level of Europe. It will come here."
In every possible way, this is the move that makes the most sense. It seems it is more like when, rather than, if, Ibrahimovic will grace MLS with his presence. No matter what city, or what team was allowed to sign him, they will undoubtedly have hit the jackpot.
If he decides to follow in Andrea Pirlo's boots, he will likely earn the best part of $10 million for his services and although MLS is trying to move away from that image of a league that signs ageing stars from yesteryear, Zlatan would be guaranteed to become iconic figure.
And of course, if he were to land at New York City, a loan move to Manchester City could be orchestrated – giving him the a chance to make a brief impact in the Premier League.
MALMO
In an ideal world, with a fairytale ending, Ibrahimovic would go back to where it all started at his hometown club of Malmo. However, with Mino Raiola as his agent, it is very unlikely that an emotional return would be on the card.
“I don't know if he can finish his career at PSG,” admitted Raiola last season. “He worked for himself for 15 years, now he will work for me for the next eight years. I think he can play until he is 42 or 43 but I don't know if he will play another eight years at PSG.”
You have to believe that any move next summer will benefit Raiola as much as Ibrahimovic. Money will be one of the most important factors in where his future lies, which rules out a move to Sweden.
That is the sort of deal that could possibly happen in two or three years but, for now, Raiola is the man in charge and money is the only language he understands.
So roll up, roll up for the auction for an ageing legend: One of a kind, one of the greatest and most enigmatic players to ever play the game. Who will start the bidding?
