Zlatan Ibrahimovic is moving closer to leaving Manchester United and joining LA Galaxy, according to ESPN.
The website claim that while a deal is not yet complete according to one of their sources, another source has informed them this is “the furthest along” a deal has ever been for Ibrahimovic.
ESPN report that the MLS side were previously interested in the 36-year-old at the end of last season, but after he injured his knee in April it ruined any chance of a deal happening.
However with the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, the website believes that Ibrahimovic’s opportunities at his current club will be limited and it has cleared the path for him to join LA Galaxy.
The centre-forward re-joined Manchester United in the summer after his original contract expired, and he took a £200,000-a-week pay cut, according to the Times, to ensure a return.
The newspaper believe that the 36-year-old now earns £125,000-a-week, despite only making seven appearances since returning to the club.
Ibrahimovic is currently unavailable to play for Man United due to a knee injury, but ESPN’s report shares that he will return to training next week.
Good move for Manchester United?
Yes. The arrival of Sanchez will no doubt lead to Ibrahimovic being surplus to requirements.
The centre-forward has struggled to get back to his best following his knee injury, as he has only scored one goal this season, and faces a tough task returning from his latest knee problem.
With Ibrahimovic on massive wages, despite his significant pay cut, it be better if he was off the club’s wage bill.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
Yes. The only issue with this deal is LA Galaxy signing the forward on the back of another knee injury.
After his first injury caused them to stop their pursuit of him, it’s unsure whether they will risk taking him if he continues to have injury problems.
However, the ESPN report reveals this is the closest they’ve ever been to signing him, so the MLS may just take the risk in order to make a marquee signing.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10