Zlatan Ibrahimovic Transfer Rumors: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool In The Lead For PSG Striker?

Accomplished and ever loquacious striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be on the move according to recent reports. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar reportedly could be headed to Arsenal, for a rather inexpensive price of £11 million, according to Italian website Tuttomercatoweb via The Telegraph.

Owner of 264 career goals, the 33-year-old talisman’s career has covered five countries in Europe, but never has the Swede touched down in England’s Premier League. Ibrahimovic is reportedly “unhappy” with PSG, where he’s played since a move from AC Milan in 2012, and Arsenal is one of several teams interested. The other squads include Liverpool, Chelsea, and Milan.

At the center of transfer speculation seemingly every summer, Ibrahimovic may not be going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean PSG will refuse overtures. Several reports over the last few weeks indicate the French titans are corralling funds to make a run at Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who is three years younger than Ibrahimovic and has a proven track record in Champions League.

Milan are evidently in the lead, according to Express, with a three-year contract and annual wage of £5 million on top of the transfer fee to entice Ibrahimovic back to Italy. The former Serie A champions finished in eighth place this year and the addition of Ibrahimovic could help them overthrow perennial titleholders Juventus.

Arsenal are certainly an intriguing option for Ibrahimovic, especially at such a low cost when compared to his considerable talents. He netted 30 goals in Ligue 1 last year, with PSG running way with the league title by eight points.

Ibrahimovic is under contract until the end of next season, and its possible PSG hope to rid themselves of any transfer speculation throughout the upcoming term. His current market value hovers around £15 million, but his PSG wages reached £220,000-a-week. At his age it seems unlikely any team will pay that much, but Ibrahimovic may consider restructuring his contract if he truly wants out of Paris.

Gunners’ supporters, as well as manager Arsene Wenger, no doubt are envisioning the potential havoc Ibrahimovic and striker Alexis Sanchez could wreak in the Premier League, as well as Champions League, next season.

The prospect of Chelsea swooping in and pairing Ibrahimovic with prolific scorer Diego Costa, with Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard feeding the two-headed monster no doubt strikes fear in the rest of the Premier League and its possible teams will outbid the Blues just to keep him out of Stamford Bridge. Though Ibrahimovic could force his way to Chelsea to once again play under manager Jose Mourinho, who coached him at Inter Milan from 2008 to 2009.

Liverpool’s in hot pursuit of a new striker, with Raheem Sterling’s future at Anfield ever in doubt and the return of Daniel Sturridge from hip surgery unclear at the moment. Furthermore, manager Brendan Rodgers likely has a smaller budget this summer after spending more than £100 million last year and the investments resulting in a sixth place finish.