Ibrahimovic praises ‘fantastic’ Mourinho amid offers from England

Sweden striker (34) refuses to say if one of his ‘concrete offers’ is from Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed he has “concrete offers from clubs in England as well as Italy and from sides outside Europe”.

The 34-year-old, who would like to join Manchester United to team up with José Mourinho this summer, added that he had a “fantastic time” playing for the Portuguese manager at Inter during the 2008-09 season.

The striker, who was talking at a Sweden press conference as they started their Euro 2016 build-up, was coy about whether one of the concrete offers had been from Manchester United but did, once again, talk about his admiration for Mourinho, who was appointed as the club’s manager yesterday.

“I had a fantastic time with him at Inter and we said when I left that we might work together again,” Ibrahimovic said.

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Asked whether he had spoken to Mourinho in the past week, Ibrahimovic answered: “I have spoken to Mourinho every day since I left Inter. We talk a lot.

“He is the man to bring Manchester United back to the top. If you want action, you get Mourinho. He is a winner.”

‘Fantastic season’

Ibrahimovic was also asked about his age and whether that could count against him in the English Premier League, but the he replied: “I have had a great season, a fantastic season. Age is not important. It is all in your head. If I want to make something happen I will make it happen. If I want to do something, I do it.”

Mourinho is mulling over whether to make a formal offer for Ibrahimovic to join him at Old Trafford but the Swede has had a very lucrative offer from LA Galaxy as well as clubs in the Middle East.

“Nothing is happening at the moment,” he said. “I am focused on the Euros. We have two friendlies and then we go down to France. I can’t wait. I will tell you all when I want to. There are a lot of alternatives. I don’t have to make an announcement before the Euros. There is a lot being written about my next move, and I enjoy reading what you come up with.”

“One day I am moving to this club, the next I am 90 per cent sure to go there, and 10 per cent sure to go there. It is like cat and mouse. I enjoy being the mouse. I want to continue to play football, and to make the right decision. Everything I need to enjoy life, on the pitch and off the pitch.”

Ibrahimovic’s agent, Mino Raiola, has told United the player will want at least in the region of £220,000 (€288,000) a week.

Wayne Rooney is the club’s highest earner at the moment on a weekly salary of £300,000 and it is not thought that Ibrahimovic’s wage demands will be a stumbling block, especially as he would join on a free transfer. Guardian service