Manchester United the only club left to tempt Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan

03 July 2009 11:30
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's last hope of escaping Inter Milan this summer rest in the hands of Manchester United. The Sweden striker had been keen on a move to Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants will not follow up interest after investing £170million in fellow forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema. And while Barcelona are thought to have held tentative talks over a swap deal with Manchester City target Samuel Eto'o, the European champions are instead concentrating their efforts on signing David Villa from Valencia. The only club perceived to have the quality and cash to prise Ibrahimovic from Inter is United, who have been frustrated in their pursuits for top quality replacements for Ronaldo, who finally completed his £80m move to Madrid this week. However, Ibrahimovic, who is on holiday in the United States, may be waiting some time for the call. While United boss Sir Alex Ferguson may well enjoy taking the star player away from former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, it is understood the English champions have not made an approach. But the Scot has spoken warmly of him in the past, last season hailing Ibrahimovic as Inter's 'star player' who 'deserved all the praise he gets'. David Villa However, Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport says United are considering him after being frustrated in moves for Benzema, Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o. Mourinho claims his 27-year-old towering striker is the best player in the world - certainly better than Ronaldo - and Inter have suggested his price tag would be higher than the £56m that Kaka left Milan for. His goalscoring record in club football is impeccable - 115 goals in 232 games - but in the Champions League he has been less convincing, scoring 18 in 68 games.

Source: Daily_Mail