Paris Saint-Germain’s manager Laurent Blanc has stated that only Zlatan Ibrahimovic knows where he wants to go next, failing to quell down transfer speculations revolving around the Swedish international.
Ibrahimovic joined the French champions from AC Milan in 2012 on a four year deal and with his contract coming to an end this summer, transfer speculations have already started surfacing, linking the Swedish international away from Parc de princes.
Zlatan has had a successful stint at PSG, scoring 144 goals in 170 appearances and winning the league in all the four seasons he has been at the club. While PSG would certainly want to keep him, it does seem like the striker has made up his mind to leave, having yet to agree a contract extension.
It is reported that big teams like Manchester United and Arsenal and even West Ham are monitoring the situation.
“Concerning the future of Ibrahimovic, only Zlatan can answer,” Blanc said.
“We have some players who are at the end of their contracts.
“You have to ask them about their futures because they will decide them.”
Manchester United, shorn of any reasonable strike force and having to depend on a young Marcus Rashford for their goals, would jump at the opportunity to sign a forward with the pedigree and class of Zlatan, despite his age. In the same vein, even though Arsene Wenger is notoriously against signing players who are above a certain age, Arsenal would do well to sign up a player of his calibre and end the never-ending search for a world-class striker.
However, PSG’s captain Thiago Silva has pleaded Ibrahimovic to stay and sign the contract extension. Silva went even further and said that he couldn’t imagine a PSG without the Swede.
“I’m not just saying this because I’m friends with him, but I can’t imagine PSG without Zlatan,” said Silva
“Ibra is invaluable for our team; opponents struggle to get him under control. He’s simply too clever and his moves are very intelligent.
“Some argue that he’s getting old, I would rather say he’s experienced. If I were the club president I would extend his contract for one or even two years.
“He’s like no other, unique. Even at 34 he’s got a huge passion for football.”
Where to for Zlatan?
Ibrahimovic might be a good advert for the English Premier League, but with PSG already flaunting a squad sufficient enough to win the coveted UEFA Champions League, the major trophy eluding the Swede since his Ajax days, it would be remiss of him not to continue at the French side.
However, with more than enough suitors in the Premier League who are equally good enough to win the Champions League, it will be interesting to see where the Swede would play next season.