Manchester United Transfer News: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Talks Jose Mourinho, More

Paris Saint-Germain striker and soon-to-be free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic has fuelled speculation he will join Manchester United, after he expressed a desire to work with Jose Mourinho again after the pair enjoyed success at Inter Milan, with both reported to be close to joining the Red Devils.

Per the Mirror's Ben Burrows and Hamish Mackay, Zlatan said: "I have missed working with Mourinho every day since I left Inter." 

According to ESPN FC's Mattias Karen, he also approved of him as the leading candidate to replace Louis van Gaal:

Ibrahimovic's deal with PSG expires this summer, while, per the Independent's Mark Ogden, Mourinho will be announced as United boss on Thursday.

Per the Guardian's Marcus Christenson, the 34-year-old admitted there has been widespread interest in him from across Europe, but according to Karen, he would not be drawn on his preference:

However, when directly asked whether he had received an offer from the Red Devils, this is how Ibrahimovic responded, per BreatheSport:

"

Zlatan to Man Utd is so on! pic.twitter.com/9bWoHoVRqp

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) May 26, 2016"

Journalist Jonas Giaever believed his reaction was telling:

So, too, did Sport Witness:

After United mustered just 49 Premier League goals this season—one fewer than the Swede scored in all competitions—it's abundantly clear the squad is in desperate need of firepower this summer.

Despite his age and the lesser standard of league in which he played, Ibrahimovic showed he remains an exceptional candidate to restore the Red Devils' cutting edge next season.

He also racked up an impressive 18 assists, which shows his ability to create for others—something the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford will be able to feed off.

Further, the swagger he would bring to the team alongside Mourinho—who has never been lacking in confidence himself—could have a profound effect on United and go a long way to recapturing the days of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Per Sky Sports News HQ, the Red Devils may have to compete with a staggering offer for the striker from the Chinese Super League, though:

As important a signing as he could be, it's inconceivable United or any other club in Europe would match a £26.5 million-per-year wage packet.

As well-compensated as he would inevitably be at Old Trafford, his decision could come down to a choice between the chance of further trophies in one of the world's biggest leagues—and one he is yet to play in—or a ludicrous pay day at the end of his career.

Of course, it's possible he could enjoy both before he retires—he may well be able to spend a season with United before taking a big-money move to China—but as he has throughout his career, the mercurial centre-forward will do what he wants, when he wants.