Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Joao Mario, Zlatan Ibrahimovic Rumours

Manchester United will reportedly have to pay £47 million if they're to sign Joao Mario from Sporting Lisbon this summer with the Portuguese club "standing firm" on their valuation of him having "increased their demands." 

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola (h/t James Cambridge of the Express), the Red Devils are targeting the midfielder after seeing Bayern Munich snap up Renato Sanches and "are willing to offer around £45 million."

Indeed, per Portuguese football writer Jan Hagen, they have previously noted Sporting are only willing to sell him if his release clause is met due to his importance to the side:

The midfielder has enjoyed an outstanding campaign in Lisbon and could be rewarded with the Primeira Liga title if his side can leapfrog Benfica on the final day.

Hagen is a serious admirer of the 23-year-old:

Here are some of Mario's highlights this season:

The Portugal international's vision and skill are qualities United have seriously lacked in midfield this season.

According to Squawka, only Watford, Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion have created fewer chances in the Premier League, so it's unsurprising they've scored significantly fewer goals than their rivals—every team in the top six has over 60 goals, except for United, who have just 46.

Of course, £47 million is a significant price to pay for a player untested outside of Portugal, but if United are indeed willing to offer £45 million then it seems unlikely they'd be unwilling to make up the difference and meet his release clause.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reiterated he will leave the club this summer:

According to Calciomercato's Edo Dalmonte, Old Trafford appears to be his "preferred destination" and has told his team-mates as such, per Sky Sports (h/t Dalmonte).

The striker has bagged an incredible 46 goals and 18 assists in all competitions this season—finding the net on his own as many times as United's entire team have in the league—so despite being 34 he could make an excellent short-term solution to their attacking problem.

However, per journalist Tancredi Palmeri and Sky Sports' Alessandro Alciato (h/t Bleacher Report UK's Jonathan Johnson), it now seems he could be off to MLS:

Football writer Andrew Gaffney believes he could be useful to United, but it would be telling if he did opt for Los Angeles instead:

Though older players such as Steven Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard have all struggled in the United States due to the improving standard of play there, Ibrahimovic could nevertheless thrive given his form this season.

According to Dalmonte, he is targeting a decision on his future this month, so United should act quickly lest they miss out in the transfer market yet again.