Who will Zlatan Ibrahimovic sign for next?

Omar Karmani 09:49 31/05/2016
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  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic, world-class striker.

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic has danced his final tango with Paris Saint-Germain. After announcing his departure via Twitter, the Swede signed off with a record-breaking goalscoring tally – his 38 goals is the most netted in a single Ligue 1 season.

    Zlatan – who has won 11 league titles (two revoked with Juventus) – will have no shortage of offers from across the globe and has been heavily linked with Manchester United.

    But here are all the clubs in contention to sign the charismatic Swede.

    LIVERPOOL

    Ibrahimovic has publicly discussed his appreciation of Jurgen Klopp in the past, the pair once sharing a screen at the 2014 Ballon d’Or ceremony with the Swede urging the German to sign him. With Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke potentially bidding their farewells to Liverpool soon, Klopp may be tempted to swoop for the experienced forward.

    However, Ibrahimovic’s languid style may not quite fit with Klopp’s favoured gegenpressing approach, while the Swede may also prefer a club playing in the Champions League as he is still looking to win the famous trophy for the first time in an otherwise glittering career.

    LIKELIHOOD OF MOVE: 6/10

    ARSENAL

    Ibrahimovic nearly joined Arsenal in his youth but famously withdrew from the club’s request for a trial, stating “Zlatan doesn’t do auditions”.

    henry-ibrahimovic

    The Gunners have been lacking an out-and-out goalscorer for some time and Zlatan’s consistency inside the 18-yard-box could make him a better option than Arsene Wenger favourite Olivier Giroud.

    Wenger rarely signs players above 30 years of age, however, leaving this move more of a long shot.

    LIKELIHOOD OF MOVE: 4/10

    AC MILAN

    Ibrahimovic has frequently expressed his undying love for AC Milan, and recently spoke positively again about his stay in northern Italy – calling the Rossoneri “the biggest club” he’s ever played for.

    ac-milan-ibrahimovic

    Zlatan is more than well-versed with calcio and played numerous times in the country – also turning out for Milan’s rivals Juventus and Inter, lifting titles with all of the ‘big three’.

    Casting sentiments aside, though this move seems unlikely to materialise as Milan vice president Adriano Galliani recently admitted the club would be unable to meet Ibrahimovic’s wage demands.

    LIKELIHOOD OF MOVE: 6/10

    NAPOLI

    The Neapolitans’ prized asset Gonzalo Higuain will be a target for a number of clubs this year after, like Ibrahimovic, breaking his division’s scoring record. Should he leave, Napoli will need to sign a new hero for their fans to worship – who better than Zlatan?

    higuain-napoli

    Ibrahimovic has always maintained he’d love to end his career in Italy, and with Napoli in the Champions League he would have the option to have one more crack at European football’s biggest prize. The Partenopei love a charismatic forward, too – this is, after all, the club for whom Diego Maradona starred.

    LIKELIHOOD OF MOVE: 6/10

    MANCHESTER UNITED

    Following United’s failure to secure a top-four spot in the Premier League, new Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho will be looking to improve this squad to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Ibrahimovic’s experience could help develop young strikers Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who could learn from a player boasting 154 goals in his past 179 games.

    mourinho-ibrahimovic

    Despite the lack of Champions League football, Ibrahimovic has reportedly indicated his interest in joining the club and reuniting with Mourinho, who worked with the Swede at Inter and whose managerial style and mentality has been publicly lauded by his former player.

    LIKELIHOOD OF MOVE: 9/10

    MLS

    The Unites States is a great opportunity for personal exposure for Ibrahimovic, who has successfully marketed his charismatic personality alongside his football prowess over the years. He loves being in the limelight and would immediately become the marquee, marquee player of the MLS.

    beckham-ibrahimovic-psg

    Zlatan expressed his desire to play in the MLS last summer but while a decision to follow through and move to LA Galaxy or New York Red Bulls (the two clubs most closely linked with his signature) won’t damage his pretty much guaranteed international status, it would quash his dreams of Champions League glory.

    LIKELIHOOD OF MOVE: 8/10

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