Has Ibrahimovic left PSG to sign for Man Utd?
Striker announces departure from Paris, but could be after one more season in European leagues
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed he will be leaving Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, announcing his departure in typically grandiose fashion.
"I came like a king, left like a legend," tweeted the striker on Friday, revealing that Saturday's game against Nantes would be his last at Parc des Princes.
PSG confirmed the news in a statement on Friday, in which Ibrahimovic elaborated on his contribution to French football.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"In the last few years, PSG has become a huge club on the international scene and I played a major role in the metamorphosis," he said. "Now the time has come for me to take a new path."
The club said they would be "forever grateful to Zlatan for his four extraordinary seasons" and described him as one of their "greatest ever players".
However, the parting may not be as amicable as the pronouncements imply. "Ibrahimovic had reportedly pushed for a one-year extension but PSG said the club and the player decided mutually not to renew their contract," says The Guardian.
Although he is now 34, the Swede still has plenty to offer and can take his pick of the big clubs.
"Ibrahimovic and his agent, Mino Raiola, have flirted with almost every possible destination over the course of the past 12 months, and he won't be short of suitors," says the Daily Mirror.
It believes LA Galaxy are the favourites to sign the Swede, but the Daily Telegraph suggests he is not yet ready to cross the Atlantic.
He will be "inundated" with offers, it says: "But he is understood to be keen to remain in one of the major European leagues for at least another season before potentially moving to Major League Soccer."
If that is the case, his former club, AC Milan, is a realistic destination, along with Manchester United, although his fractious relationship with Louis van Gaal could preclude such a move if the manger stays.
However, Ibrahimovic and Jose Mourinho got on well at Inter Milan and that could favour Old Trafford were the Portuguese to take over this summer.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
feature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
By Mike Starling Published
-
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo? How the relationship with Man Utd turned sour
Under the Radar Portugal star has ‘almost certainly’ played his last game for United as he is dropped for Chelsea clash
By Mike Starling Published
-
Manchester United: does Erik ten Hag have the ‘golden touch’?
feature Prevailing mood at Old Trafford was reminiscent of ‘how it felt during the golden years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign’
By The Week Staff Last updated