Report: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, AC Milan in Disagreement over Contract Length
November 4, 2018
LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic is reportedly closing in on a return to AC Milan, but the Swede and Rossoneri remain apart on the length of the deal.
Multiple Italian outlets have reported on the negotiations, and according to Turin-based Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia), Milan have proposed a six-month deal with an option for an extra year. Ibrahimovic wants an 18-month pact, however.
Per the report, his salary would amount to €1.5 million per year, with sponsors picking up the rest of the tab.
The veteran striker has also been linked with a return to Manchester United, per Mark Ogden of ESPN FC. Ibrahimovic told TMZ "the whole world" wants a piece of him:
Such a move seems far less likely than a switch to Italy, however. The 37-year-old has never made a secret of the fact he loved his time at Milan more than anywhere else, per Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia).
Ibrahimovic has played for a multitude of clubs during his career, enjoying his most productive spell with Paris Saint-Germain. He signed for LA Galaxy in March and continued his remarkable scoring exploits in MLS, bagging 22 goals in 27 appearances.
That was good enough for an MVP nominee:
His team finished one point out of the Western Conference play-offs, however, bringing a premature end to his campaign.
While Ibrahimovic is getting up there in years, his great form in MLS showed he still has an excellent nose for goals. Add to that his love for Milan, and it would make sense for the Swede to return and end his career at the San Siro.
Milan added Gonzalo Higuain during the summer but have experimented with a two-striker lineup with him playing alongside star talent Patrick Cutrone. The latter has been excellent in the UEFA Europa League but has only bagged two Serie A goals so far, so a short-term replacement with a better track record would be welcome.
Ibrahimovic could be the perfect solution, adding to the club's options and giving the 20-year-old Cutrone another veteran to learn from in training.