Bharath Rammr
Manchester United are reportedly closing on a deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to Italian tabloid TuttoMercatoWeb. Ibrahimovic has become one of the indispensable players for United, despite being at the club for less than a year. Since arriving on a free transfer from Paris St Germain back in the summer, Ibrahimovic has managed to take English football by storm. He has managed to score a spectacular 28 goals in 43 games for the club, including a return of 17 goals in 27 league matches. The latter has especially been important towards sustaining United’s bid for the top four position.
Few have been able to predict the success of Ibrahimovic at United. Given that the club brought him in as a 35-year-old striker, not much was expected from the player apart from his role as an impact substitute. However, this has not been the case since United have been able to get the best out of Ibrahimovic more often than not. Ibrahimovic has also been available for almost every game in the campaign, and it is a surprise considering his age. He scored during the weekend to take his tally to 28 goals this season.
Jose Mourinho has expressed his confidence that Ibrahimovic will remain at the club beyond the current campaign. The club have the option of taking up another year on his contract. However, it is believed that they are on the verge of putting a new two-year contract on the table. This would serve as a huge reward for his extraordinary campaign. Mourinho has also seen the incredible motivational powers within Ibrahimovic, and this energy could be harnessed in a positive way in order to improve the youth players.
For these reasons, it is believed that the club are ready to tempt him a bumper (two-year) contract, despite the long-standing policy of not giving more than a year to players above the age of 30. Ibrahimovic, though, has been noncommittal about extending his time at Old Trafford. Much to the surprise of United faithful who have been hoping that the striker would immediately extend his stay, it is believed that the striker is looking at options elsewhere too. Ibrahimovic is not experiencing any shortage of interest from around the world. Clubs from China and North America are keen to take the striker.
