Ibrahimovic agent drops Barcelona hint

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent has suggested the Internazionale striker's preferred destination should he leave the San Siro in the summer would be Barcelona.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent has suggested the Internazionale striker's preferred destination should he leave the San Siro in the summer would be Barcelona.

The Sweden international has recently hinted that he may look to leave Italy and Spain - and the Catalan capital in particular - would be an appealing prospect, according to Mino Raiola.

"Which player doesn't like Barca? Barca have always been a spectacular club, in fact, more than a club, an institution," he said.

"They are playing some spectacular football at the moment, they have fantastic fans and it is a fantastic city. All great players want to play for them.

"If he were to leave Italy, which would be difficult, then he would choose a high level club in Spain or England.

"At this moment in his career, he is more open to Spain. Now he is accustomed to Italy and to southern Europe and it would be easier to settle in Spain's climate."

Vicente del Bosque has pledged to put personal feelings to one side when he makes his first coaching return to Real Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Del Bosque will be at the helm of Spain in a World Cup qualifier against Turkey at a ground where he was an extremely successful club coach.

The 58-year-old made over 350 appearances for Madrid as a player before coaching them to two La Liga and a pair of Champions League titles.

He was sacked in 2003 despite winning the league and Saturday will be his first coaching return to his former home.

"I am an emotional person, but I'm not nostalgic," he said.

"I do not know what I will feel when I'm sitting on the bench at the Bernabeu, but the responsibility to win against Turkey will help me ensure that I do not think about the past."

Speaking about his dismissal in 2003 just days after winning the league, he added: "In general, I have had more happy memories than painful ones when I was in charge of Madrid.

"Everything that happened occurred for a reason and had it not been that way, I would never have been selected as the coach of the national team.

"And to be able to lead Spain fills me with great pride and satisfaction. It makes me happy."

Meanwhile, current Madrid coach Juande Ramos has rejected claims that he has dropped Guti and will not pick him again this season.

The long-serving playmaker was omitted from the squad which defeated Almeria last weekend amid reports of a training ground bust-up with Ramos.

However, Ramos is adamant that Guti was only left out for footballing reasons.

He said: "Guti was not called up because I decided not to do that.

"For that game, I felt other players would be better. My job is to choose the best team.

"Each player has a different character but they must all be treated equally. Players are left out and they are included.