Manchester United Transfer News: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Battle Expected, Top Rumours

Manchester United’s sensational reported approach for Zlatan Ibrahimovic could prove a tricky one to pull off, as the Red Devils will have to see off competition from MLS before landing the mercurial Swede.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Fichajes (via the Daily Telegraph), which wrote that Ibrahimovic is interested in bringing the curtain down on his remarkable career in the United States.

The 34-year-old is out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2015/16 season, and United manager Louis van Gaal is reportedly keen on getting a deal to secure his services across the line.

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

Yet the lure of MLS football could well see the Premier League side miss out, as Ibrahimovic spoke to Yahoo Sports about his desire to play in the U.S. back in July (via MLSsoccer.com):

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I would like to play in U.S., absolutely. I think it would be an amazing experience. I see that soccer is growing a lot in U.S. I mean, I was here 10 years ago [and] soccer was not on the level that it is today, but it's growing. It's growing in the right direction and I want it to be on the level of Europe. It will come here.

"

While club football in the U.S. is still a long way off European standards, top players such as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard's moves across the pond from the Premier League have only bolstered its appeal—and Ibrahimovic’s arrival could well propel the league to another level.

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

However, as Ibrahimovic is Ibrahimovic, only the best is good enough. Signing for one of the biggest clubs in the world at 34 is almost unheard of, yet how many more years does the Swede have at the top level?

Well, Van Gaal seems to think he has many a season left in him, as he’s reportedly set to open talks with PSG about taking their star man from them as soon as January, according to Fichajes (via the Daily Express).

The Dutch manager will approach Ibrahimovic himself to find out whether he wants to come to Old Trafford before submitting a bid, which could be for £57.1 million if a Don Balon report is to be believed.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

Ibrahimovic’s contract impending expiration means such an astronomical offer is unlikely, yet it’s clear Van Gaal needs to put work in to win the striker’s favour and get him in red.

The manager’s January priority, though, could well be landing another winger, as he told reporters he wanted to land a speedy wide man after his side’s 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, relayed by the Daily Telegraph:

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I have said already in my first year many times we need speed and creativity on the wings. You have seen that now we play with Jesse Lingard and he is not the most speedy winger in the world and Mata is also not the most speedy winger in the world. So first we must first finish that problem and then we can see how we have to play and how we are in balance with playing with speedy wingers.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

One man who could prove the solution to Van Gaal’s problem is Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan, who has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford for a long time now.

And Steve Bates of the Sunday People (via Daily Mirror) wrote that Manchester United representatives recently watched Gaitan in Champions League action against Galatasaray—a game in which he was sent off.

The 27-year-old is primarily deployed as an attacking midfielder, yet his ability to adjust to the wing will undoubtedly appeal to Van Gaal.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

He’s not the only Premier League manager Gaitan is appealing to, as Bates also wrote that both Manchester City and Arsenal are also in the hunt for his signature.

Once again, Van Gaal must put in the ground work early to see off his target’s rival suitors or he could end up empty-handed.

United are slowly but surely becoming a Premier League force again, but their lack of attacking flair is a big concern.

The likes of Ibrahimovic and Gaitan could undoubtedly bring the beautiful side of the beautiful game back to Old Trafford—it’s all just a case of the boss getting the deals done.