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Where would Zlatan go if he does desire an Indian summer in the Premier League?

So, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been hinting that he is keen on a move to the Premier League. His cont...



Where would Zlatan go if he do...
Soccer

Where would Zlatan go if he does desire an Indian summer in the Premier League?

So, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been hinting that he is keen on a move to the Premier League.

His contract with Paris Saint Germain runs out in the summer and there is a belief that he will eventually head off to the MLS at some point, potentially to join David Beckham's Miami franchise which could be and running in a couple of years time.

When asked about playing in the English top-flight after this week's Champions League win over Chelsea, he says he is in "good shape" and he thinks "big things" will happen.

The striker scored against Chelsea on Tuesday and even at 34, he is still potent.

But if a Premier League move did happen, which of the big clubs would be most likely to take a shot on a maverick talent?

Arsenal

Unsurprisngly, Ibrahimovic is on that very long list of players Arsene Wenger nearly signed before they were famous.

There is concrete truth to that story, although Ibrahimovic himself suggested that he was not happy with the way Wenger tried to entice him to move to what was then Highbury in 2000:

"Today, Wenger says it was a misunderstanding. But I didn’t like being asked to prove myself. I know I’m good enough. I don’t need to show it to you. Either you know who I am or you don’t. I remember being in Wenger’s office and you could tell he was the boss. But I don’t think I was so close. I went to Ajax the next day."

The little coup de grace he added in Zlatanesque fashion was that "Zlatan does not do auditions" as he referenced Wenger's call for him to go on a trial first.

He did get a jersey with his own No 9 though:

 

But 16 years on and even on a short-term deal, Ibrahimovic does not seem to be a latter day Wenger-style signing, although you can assume the Arsenal manager wouldn't be asking the Swede to go on trial this time.

Chelsea

The situation at Chelsea makes things a little unstable. It would depend on who the next full-time manager is.

Had Jose Mourinho been in situ, then there would be much more reason for the player to consider Stamford Bridge as he retains a fondness for a manager who coached him at Inter Milan.

Diego Costa, Loic Remy, Radamel Falcao and the on-loan Alexandre Pato remain the strikers at Chelsea, with the latter three not seen as viable long-term options.

If they sold that trio, it could open up the space to bring in Ibrahimovic for a year or two, although the strong possibility of no Champions League football next season would dent that.

Liverpool

The former Juventus, Barcelona and Inter forward is fond of manager Jurgen Klopp by all accounts - although, who would hate the jovial German.

But a move to Liverpool would seem highly unlikely and not just because of financial considerations.

First off, Liverpool's owners FSG have a focus on signing younger talent with potential and also Klopp, who granted has not been at clubs which go for star names, is trying to build a system and Ibrahimovic - while hugely talented and capable of playing for elite sides - does not give off the impression of being the most system-specific footballer of all-time.

Manchester City

No! Nein! Non!

One year at Barcelona, proved how much incoming City manager Pep Guardiola and Ibrahimovic proved incompatible.

The player is unlikely to want to work again with a manager he branded as a "spineless coward" in his autobiography.

Indeed he also related a row with Pep in which he shouted obscenities at the manager including the biologically helpful, "You haven’t got any balls!" and "You’re ******** yourself in front of Mourinho. You can go to hell!"

Manchester United

Like Chelsea, the future at Old Trafford appears clouded.

But if reports are true and Mourinho does succeed Louis van Gaal by the end of the season, then Ibrahimovic may be tempted to link with his favourite boss.

And United have the money to make such a signing of a player with Cantona-esque qualities when it comes to his sense of self and maverick spirit.

Watch this space. 

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