Zlatan Ibrahimovic could leave Manchester United for Napoli this summer, but his exit may depend upon Jose Mourinho's £85m move for Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.
In quotes attributed to the former Swedenstriker's Italian agent Mino Raiola in the Italian media, it has been suggested that Ibrahimovic, who has previously played forJuventus, Inter and Milan, has a strong passion for a possible return to Serie A five years after he quit Milan for Paris Saint-Germain.
"As for Ibrahimovic, he’s always been in love with Naples and the passion of the Neapolitans and I’ve always said that openly because he grew up in a family which was similar to the Neapolitans and then with me. "
“He knows what the love of the Neapolitans means and that passion has always attracted him.
“I know that (the Napoli president Aurelio)De Laurentiis knows him, and with Zlatan you never know what could happen.”
Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann gestures during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in MadridAFP
United are apparently keen on French striker Griezmann with an £85m move touted during the close season - and personal terms apparently agreed according to various reports - but they would hope to keep Ibrahimovic for another season after his exceptional form since arriving on a free from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 35-year-old striker has scored 19 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions, and is on course to hit at least 25 in an outstanding first season in England.
OUR VIEW
It is less than two months since Raiola was suggesting Ibrahimovic was committed to another year in the Premier League, but the news that Griezmann could be arriving as the club's new leading man has obviously altered matters. It suddenly appears Zlatan is keeping his options open judging by the soundbites emanating from his agent. Will he stay? Or will he go?
Studying his body language, there is nothing to suggest he wants out of United. Yet for a thoroughbred forward with as many miles and goals on the clock as Zlatan, the option of Italy is always appealing at such a late juncture of your career. The pace is less hectic in Italy, and plenty of gnarled veterans have wrung a few extra years out of their natural playing lifespans by opting for Serie A.
It would not be the wisest option to lose Ibrahimovic, but it sounds like Mourinho will need to reassure the player he won't be underused if Griezmann arrives. One suspects Ibrahimovic would not take the news as well as Wayne Rooney has this year. The last thing he wants is a season spent on a bench.
Money is surely no longer Ibrahimovic's main motivation.
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