Manchester United are reportedly set to table an extension offer to star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic that will see him earn £20 million-a-year.
According to a report in the Daily Mirror, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to be offered a one-year extension on his current deal with Manchester United, who are willing to do all that they can to retain his services. The extended deal will see the Swedish superstar pocket a handsome £20 million.
Ibrahimovic has defied his skeptics since making the move to Manchester United last summer, after many predicted him to have a tough time in the English top flight. However, against all of those expectations, the veteran striker has managed to establish himself as the talisman for the Red Devils.
Ibrahimovic has played a staggering 44 times across all competitions for Manchester United so far this season, and has unsurprisingly been their top scorer with 28 goals. In addition to these, he has also provided 10 assists, making it a direct contribution every 98.7 minutes.
That is a superb tally for a player who is 35 and whose career was deemed to be running on its last legs. Needless to say, Ibrahimovic has been the single most influential player for Manchester United this season – player whose contributions have gone a big way in defining their campaign.
So, it is not surprising that Manchester United are doing everything they can to tie him up to an extension, with Ibrahimovic’s initial deal with the club set to run out at the end of the season. The report states that Ibrahimovic remains a big part of Jose Mourinho’s plans for next season.
However, he has big offers from the MLS and Chinese Super League that amount to £20 million and Manchester United are willing to match that by adding £8 million in image rights and bonuses to the £12 million deal that he signed with them.
Indeed, there have been reports of LA Galaxy targeting a move for Ibrahimovic, and are willing to break the pay scale in MLS to land him. However, Mourinho has remained confident that the Swede will soon put pen to paper on a new deal at Old Trafford.
It now remains to be seen if Ibrahimovic agrees to extend his stay in England with Manchester United when such an offer is officially made. It goes without saying though, that it’s imperative for Manchester United to retain his services for at least another year to stabilise Mourinho’s rebuilding plan at Old Trafford.
