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Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United: Striker wants £11.3m-a-season to make move

Jose Mourinho understood to be considering making formal offer to the Sweden international

Thursday 26 May 2016 09:43 BST

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has indicated to Manchester United that he will want wages of £11.3m-per-season - £220,000-a-week - if he is to make the move to Old Trafford, according to reports.

The Sweden international is close to joining Jose Mourinho at the Theatre of Dreams however no deal has been finalised and the huge demands are something for the incoming Manchester United manager to consider.

Ibrahimovic is leaving PSG this summer after his contract expired and the 34-year-old has not been short of offers. Lucrative offers from China and the Middle East as well as MLS side LA Galaxy are on the table.

Ibrahimovic is understood to be far more interested in a move to Old Trafford, however they must compete with the wages that would be paid if he were to go elsewhere. That has led to the former Barcelona and Inter Milan player's agent Mino Raiola telling United officials that Ibrahimovic must be paid at least £220,000-a-week. That Ibrahimovic will arrive for nothing due to him being out of contract may help United to justify paying him so well.

Who might be dreading Jose Mourinho's arrival at Manchester United?

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1/5Who might be dreading Jose Mourinho's arrival at Manchester United?

Who might be dreading Jose Mourinho's arrival at Manchester United?

Juan Mata

You have to feel sorry for the Spaniard. After winning Chelsea’s Player of the Year award twice on the bounce, he saw himself shipped out of Stamford Bridge in the January following Mourinho’s return. The former Real Madrid and Internazionale boss simply did not fancy him. Now, he finds himself at Mourinho’s mercy once again. In fairness, although he can be the side’s stand-out player on his day, Mata has struggled to consistently make the most of his considerable ability. It could be best for all parties if United cash in.

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Who might be dreading Jose Mourinho's arrival at Manchester United?

Ryan Giggs

Overlooked for the main job after David Moyes’ departure, Giggs is now facing an effective demotion, according to widespread reports. Mourinho wants long-time side-kick Rui Faria to be his assistant, which would leave Giggs with merely a coaching role. He has seen fellow members of the Class of ’92 fly the nest to forge a career in coaching. It would be wise for him to do the same.

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Who might be dreading Jose Mourinho's arrival at Manchester United?

Daley Blind

Blind would have liked Van Gaal to stay at Old Trafford

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Who might be dreading Jose Mourinho's arrival at Manchester United?

Sir Bobby Charlton

The first meeting between Mourinho and the club’s ambassadors may be an awkward affair, especially when he ends up swapping phatic talk with United’s greatest icon. Sir Bobby Charlton previously cast doubt on the Portuguese’s suitability for the Old Trafford role. Speaking about Mourinho’s eye-gouging of Tito Vilanova, Charlton said: "A United manager wouldn't do that. Mourinho is a really good coach but that's as far as I would go really. “He pontificates too much for my liking,” he added. “He's a good manager, though." It was, probably, the only time that Charlton has publicly questioned another person’s character. Now, he finds that same man in charge of his football club.

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Who might be dreading Jose Mourinho's arrival at Manchester United?

Sir Alex Ferguson

Much has been made of the friendship between Ferguson and Mourinho, although it’s hard not to believe that some tensions exist between the two. Both have always done their best to stress their respect for each other but Mourinho was hurt when he was overlooked for the job in 2014. Ferguson, of course, recommended Moyes. He also has hardly been forthcoming in support for the Portuguese, but did say that Louis van Gaal should be given time in the job and even offered help to Giggs, in case his former charge took the big job.

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Wayne Rooney is currently the club's highest earner on £300,000-a-week.

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