Zlatan to leave PSG: Five possible moves for the Swede

Sport360 staff 16:26 13/05/2016
Zlatan is on his way out of Paris.

The 34-year-old Swede is out of contract this summer and there has been speculation all season over what his next move would be. A post on his Twitter account on Friday morning at least made clear that he was nearing the end of his time with PSG.

Ibrahimovic, who has been linked with several English clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal, is expected to play his last game for PSG when they face Marseille in the Coupe de France final at the Stade de France on May 21, with the club completing their Ligue 1 campaign against Nantes this Saturday.

PSG boss Laurent Blanc had retained hope that his talisman would agree another deal, but Ibrahimovic decided the time was right to move on.

PSG confirmed the decision themselves later on Friday morning via the club’s offical website, with statements from both player and club suggesting it was an amicable parting.

“I am very proud of these last four years. I loved every single day I spent here. PSG have become in these last years an internationally shining, star club and I have played a major part in this transformation,” said

Ibrahimovic, who has scored 46 goals in all competitions this term and is the club’s all-time top scorer with 152 goals since joining from AC Milan in July 2012.

“The time has now come for me to take a new road. I want to thank my colleagues, the staff and everyone at the club,” he added.

“My heart is with the fans. They have been fantastic since the day of my arrival. They are the best fans in France.

“This is not farewell, just goodbye. I came here as a king and I leave as a legend. But I will be back!”

PSG’s statement suggested the club would look to help Ibrahimovic into management when he eventually hangs up his boots.

“Following discussions between Paris St Germain and the agent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club and player have mutually decided not to renew the contract between the two parties after June 30, 2016,” the statement on www.psg.fr read.

“They also agreed that once his playing career ended, Ibra will join the management of the club in a senior position.

“Paris St Germain will forever be deeply grateful to Zlatan for the extraordinary seasons which made him the highest scorer and one of the greatest players in the history of the club.

“Ibra will be instrumental in transforming Paris St Germain into one of the biggest clubs in Europe.”

As well as a possible first stint in England, a return to AC Milan is also said to be under consideration along with a move to Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Ibrahimovic has been linked repeatedly with a move to Old Trafford, where goals have been at a premium this term. The emergence of 18-year-old Marcus Rashford has been a godsend for under-pressure boss Louis van Gaal, but the Sweden international’s proven track record could prove attractive.

ARSENAL


Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in the former Ajax, Barcelona and Inter Milan frontman in the past with fans bemoaning Arsene Wenger’s decision not to recruit a top-class goalscorer last summer. Danny Welbeck’s knee injury, which is expected to sideline him for around nine months, means the Gunners’ need is even more pressing.

AC MILAN

Ibrahimovic remains a favourite in the red half of Milan after a hugely successful spell at the San Siro before his £15.7million switch to PSG. A return has been mooted and, with Milan having struggled to maintain pace with the top five in Serie A this season, an approach could prove popular.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

The Galaxy have proved their ambition in the recent past with recruitment of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane, and the latter continues to thrive as a striker in Major League Soccer. President Chris Klein has kept his own counsel on speculation that Ibrahimovic could be the club’s latest target, but the player has hinted in the past that the United States is a possible option.

CHINA

China has proved a lucrative source of income for big-name strikers after spells in Europe, with Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba and Demba Ba having all represented Shanghai Shenhua, although Drogba cut his stay short. If Ibrahimovic wants a very different challenge, the Far East would offer him just that.

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