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Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent cools Manchester United talk

Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic attends a press conference at Friends Arena in Solna, near Stockholm on May 26
Image: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola has cooled talk that the striker is heading to Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent has cooled talk that the striker is heading to Manchester United.

The 34-year-old is a free agent after his PSG contract ended, and Sky sources understand Manchester United are the only Premier League option he has considered, with his former manager Jose Mourinho named as their new boss on Friday.

But his agent Mino Raiola says they have yet to decide their next move, and insists they are in no hurry to rush to a conclusion.

Paris-Saint-Germains Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic holds up the trophy after winning the French Cup final football match against Auxerre at the Stade
Image: The 34-year-old is a free agent after his PSG contract ended

"Does it have to be United that Zlatan goes to? Will the whole of Sweden not sleep if it does not happen?" Raiola told Swedish newspaper Expressen.

"We have yet to decide, it'll be a surprise in the end. Everyone talks about United, which is why I don't talk to journalists a lot.

"There are clubs in England and Europe, some outside of Europe, but everyone thinks he must go to Manchester United. It's not true."

Mourinho and Ibra in quotes
Mourinho and Ibra in quotes

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Ibrahimovic said in the week that he has already decided what his next move will be, and he confirmed on Thursday that he has had "concrete offers" from England, Italy and other clubs including some outside of Europe.

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Sky Sports News HQ understands he has also been considering an offer from China and that United are not prepared to match the financial terms Ibrahimovic can earn from an unnamed Super League club, worth £53m over two seasons.

Raiola, meanwhile, says the only guarantee is that Ibrahimovic will not be retiring. 

Mourinho | @ManUtd
Image: Ibrahimovic's former manager Jose Mourinho was named Manchester United boss on Friday (courtesy of @ManUtd)

"We're not in a hurry. I only care about securing something of quality," the agent said. "We'll see what happens, we have a good time ahead of us now.

"The only thing I can guarantee is that he will not quit. But where he will play next season, I can not say anything about.

"Zlatan Ibrahimovic is King and the club that buys him do not have to pay a transfer fee.

"This means that Ibrahimovic, who just finished a record season at PSG, can get an extra high salary. He is in a good bargaining position."

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