Manchester United’s former players are now in off-field roles for different clubs and arguably the marquee among them is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, senior advisor at AC Milan.
Those connections might help in the coming days as the Swedish legend seems to have identified a player in the Man Utd squad he wants “at all costs”.
Manchester United had a successful transfer window in the summer, the first under Ineos, spending north of £100 million to secure five players.
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That was made possible only because, in a departure from the usual, the club managed to sell well, raking in more than £100 million from sales.
The same momentum needs to be carried so this news of Milan’s interest should come as a relief, but there’s an asterisk attached.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic identifies Man Utd target
It is fairly clear under Ineos that barring a few untouchables, every player has a price. In fact, even in a window where they made £100 million from sales, they didn’t even sell players like Casemiro who were at the top of that transfer list.
As it stands, there are many in the squad United would happily listen to offers for but the man Ibrahimovic has identified is a tricky proposition.
That is because his contract expires next summer so he will be able to talk to other clubs in January with a view to moving on a free transfer.
The player in question is Victor Lindelof, the Swedish centre-back who joined United in 2017 for £30 million initially.
He has been a serviceable player for the club for a long time, never really wowing the fanbase or becoming the first name on the teamsheet but has always been a reliable hand to call upon.
Lindelof has been the subject of exit rumours for two summers now without a move materialising and the chances of him signing an extension are minimal.
Milan Live reports that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has identified his fellow Swede as a great free transfer opportunity and wants him “at all costs”.
Milan will face competition from other Italian clubs, like Inter Milan, who always have one eye on potential free agents.
What Man Utd should do
If possible, United should try and arrange an exit in the January window for a nominal fee which would be better than losing him on a free transfer in the summer.
That is because United are well stocked at centre-back and Leny Yoro will have returned from injury by then as well.
Furthermore, Lindelof, who made his season debut vs Aston Villa at right-back, will see his minutes shrink further as United will welcome their two left-backs too.
Paying six months of his wages to let him leave on a free transfer wouldn’t be the smartest move and if Milan under Ibrahimovic really are that desperate, they might bite.
Anticipating a potential bidding war in the summer, proactive teams might explore signing him in January itself which would be a positive for United.
Ibrahimovic can do his former team a favour while helping his current one beat their rivals to the punch.
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