Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s “super agent” Mino Raiola has revealed that the player wanted to end his career at Napoli before joining Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho’s appointment as Manchester United saw him bring a host of world-class names to the club in the summer. Along with the world’s most expensive player Paul Pogba, Dortmund creator-in-chief Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Villarreal’s defensive stalwart Eric Bailly, Swedish attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was signed on a free transfer.
The former PSG striker has quickly adapted to life in England’s top tier, scoring five goals in as many games for the club. His most recent contribution came in the Manchester derby where he slotted home a half volley after City keeper Claudio Bravo dropped a clanger.
However, before moving to Manchester, Ibrahimovic wanted to move to Italy and play his final games at Napoli, stated his agent Mino Raiola, while speaking to Radio CRC (h/t Gianluca Di Marzio).
“Was Ibra approached by Napoli this summer? The presidents who talk to me, they know that what is said remains between us. We chose United recently, it was our goal, Ibra was also the club’s aim, and we’re now where we needed to be,” stated Raiola.
“All I can say is at Ciro Ferrara’s farewell game at the San Paolo, Zlatan called me and told me: ‘Mino, I want to end my career in Naples.’ That’s because the mentality of the Neapolitans is the one closest to his, and if the league remained as it was back then, he might have done just that,” he added.
Ibrahimovic, 35, looks all set to end his illustrious career at Old Trafford. After enjoying a coveted career in numerous clubs around Europe, it seems that the Swedish superstar has experienced it all.
Talks for a short-term extension at Manchester United are reportedly ongoing and Jose Mourinho will be hoping to make the most of Ibrahimovic during his time at the club.
