Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United: PSG striker refuses to rule out a Premier League move as he admits his agent will decide future

Ibrahimovic has a year left on his contract with PSG weighing up a sale to free up his wages

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 23 July 2015 08:55 BST
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Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Getty Images)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has put his future in the hands of his agent after refusing to play down reports of a move to Manchester United this summer.

United are in the market for a striker following the sale of Robin van Persie and the decision not to sign Radamel Falcao on a permanent deal following his dismal loan spell last season.

United manager is keen to bring in a new attacking option and has been linked with a move for the likes of Barcelona’s Pedro, Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Edinson Cavani, but is has since been claimed that the Uruguayan’s Paris Saint-Germain team-mate could be on his way to Old Trafford as the “mystery” striker Van Gaal has hinted at.

Ibrahimovic’s future is uncertain without his latest comments as PSG weigh up cashing in on the Sweden international a year before his contract expires. The 33-year-old’s wages take up a considerable chunk of the wage budget at the Parisian club. Having extended the three-year contract he signed upon his arrival in 2012 until next summer, PSG are concerned by the fact that his astronomical wages – which amount to £12m-a-year – take up nearly 20 per cent of the club’s wage budget, and the club saw an approach to revise his contract this summer rejected.

Speaking in the United States where PSG are on a pre-season tour, Ibrahimovic admitted that his agent, Mino Raiola, holds the cards when it comes to deciding whether he will switch clubs this summer.

“Should I stay in Paris? My future is in the hands of Mino Raiola,” Ibrahimovic told Sky Italia.

Ibrahimovic was on target against Fiorentina on Monday night as the French champions ran out 4-2 winners in the International Champions Cup pre-season competition. PSG coincidentally face United next week, with United believed to be interested in Ibrahimovic and Cavani while PSG are reported to have made an official offer for United’s record signing Angel Di Maria.

Ibrahimovic scores against Fiorentina (Getty Images)

However, the French side face Premier League champions Chelsea beforehand as they meet the Blues this Saturday, and Ibrahimovic wants to continue the good work that the side put in against Fiorentina.

“It was a good game," Ibrahimovic added.

"The team played well but we must continue to work to find our rhythm. Against Fiorentina, we showed we were physically strong but mentally as well.

"We did a good job. Now we must continue working. It is only pre-season."

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