Manchester United Transfer News: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Agent Talks, Latest Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly "emerged as the clear favourites to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic" in the summer after having "extensive talks" with his agent, Mino Raiola.

The Swede's current club, Paris Saint-Germain, have now confirmed once and for all that Ibrahimovic will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, after terms on an extension could not be agreed. According to Jason Burt in the Telegraph, the striker asked for £300,000-a-week after tax.

It is "unclear" whether United are prepared to meet Ibrahimovic's wage demands, but finances are reportedly "not a stumbling block" for the Manchester outfit following their talks with Raiola, added Burt.  

Now 34, Ibra is drawing to the end of his remarkable career, but he could be a brilliant short-term addition to the United squad, which is lacking in experience.

Too much of a burden has been placed this season on young attackers Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard and, while they have all performed admirably, an older hand is needed in attack.

Ibrahimovic remains one of the most prolific strikers in European football—his Ligue 1 return this term stands at 36, per WhoScored.com—and he could add much-needed goals to a United attack that has netted only 46 times in the Premier League this season.

Previous reports had suggested he was more likely to move to America's Major League Soccer to join LA Galaxy, per Sky Sport's Alessandro Alciato (via Ligue 1 expert Jonathan Johnson):

However, Burt's report indicated he wants to stay "at least for one more year" in a top European league. 

Having never played in England before, it would make sense for Ibrahimovic to want to test himself in the Premier League—he has already won titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France.

He may also be attracted by the chance to work with Jose Mourinho again—the pair had a good relationship during a brief spell together at Inter Milan—with the Portuguese manager heavily tipped to take over from current boss Louis van Gaal at United in the summer, per Sky Italia (via the Independent's Mark Critchley).

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones previously speculated that Van Gaal would be unlikely to want to sign Ibrahimovic:

But if the Dutchman is moved on from his post in the summer, then the door would open up for the former Ajax and Barcelona man to make the switch to Old Trafford.