Five surprise clubs for superstar Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic
PSG predator and Sweden talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have spoken about how happy he is with the Parisian giants (14/1 with Coral to win the Champions League) but, in typically teasing style, could not resist stirring the rumour pot with his recent comments.
“I’m very happy at PSG. You don’t see that on the field?” said the 33-year-old after striking against Manchester United, also adding “where I go next, it will be a surprise, a very big surprise.”
So it seems as though the Swedish sharpshooter will stay put for one last season at the Parc des Princes, resisting a stint at Old Trafford, though it is never wise to rule anything out where the controversial attacker is concerned.
With his contract quickly running out, however, here are our five ‘surprise’ destinations for the dangerman when he becomes a great bargain Bosman next summer…
Ajax
Ibrahimovic may have departed the Dutch giants under somewhat of a cloud back in 2004, amid rumours of a falling out with Rafael van der Vaart, but time heals all wounds and the Scandinavian superstar would surely be welcomed with open arms if he returned to Amsterdam.
Frank de Boer’s men are having to deal with an increasing powerful PSV Eindhoven, and could use inspirational Ibrahimovic’s class and experience, in tandem with their youth prospects, to wrestle back domestic dominance.
See Ibrahimovic’s most sublime skills:
Celtic
Martial arts-inspired Ibrahimovic’s jaw-dropping array of flexible finishes would certainly go down well at Celtic Park, where the fans love a cult hero, and the formidable forward once spoke of a switch to the Scottish club.
“Celtic is a club with a big tradition and a place any top player would want to end their career. How could I say I wouldn’t want to play for those fans every week?,” Ibrahimovic said previously, alluding to compatriot Henrik Larsson’s successful spell with the Glasgow giants.
Practically guaranteed to be challenging for the Scottish Premier League title, as well as domestic cups plus the chance of Champions League football every season, Ibrahimovic would have the freedom to finish his career in style at a side historically big enough to satisfy his ego.
Malmo
Back to where it all began, and where his continental career really kicked off. Could Ibrahimovic really pull a shock card from his sleeve and return to Sweden and his hometown club?
When a young Ibrahimovic emerged from the Malmo ranks the Swedish side were struggling, but all that has changed and the club clinched the Allsvenskan title last term, a trophy the mercurial marksman has yet to lift.
Glimpse Ibrahimovic in his early Malmo days:
Miami MLS
The recent trend for ageing superstars to end their careers in the bright lights of the MLS does not look set to stop, and America would certainly suit Ibrahimovic, who would be adored by legions of fans.
Former PSG teammate David Beckham, who reportedly got along well with the Swede in Paris, is hoping to get his Miami-based team off the ground and challenging in the MLS in 2017, not long after Ibrahimovic becomes a free agent.
Beckham will need a marquee signing to start things off, and who better than his headline grabbing ex-clubmate to be the catalyst?
Porto
After snapping-up Real Madrid stopper Iker Casillas, Porto, rank outsiders at 50/1 to lift the Champions League, have proven they are ready to pounce for big-names. Yet, after losing top marksman Jackson Martinez, it remains to be seen how the Dragons will fare without the Colombian’s guaranteed goals.
It is unusual to see the glamorous Oporto outfit, who always expect to challenge for honours, without a high-profile poacher in the vein or Martinez or Radamel Falcao, so Ibrahimovic could fit the bill and has proven many times he can make the difference in any title race.
Remember this incredible effort against England?