Real Madrid have reportedly turned down the prospect of signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has faced a huge blow in his attempts to play for Real Madrid, with Los Blancos turning down the opportunity to sign him. The Spanish champions instead favour a move for Kylian Mbappe in the summer transfer window.
Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a storied career, winning a glut of trophies with the likes of Ajax, Barcelona, AC Milan and several other clubs. 2016/17 turned out to be another trophy-laden season for the player as well after he signed with Manchester United last summer on a free transfer.
Ibrahimovic quickly turned into the talisman for Manchester United, who often looked towards him for the all-important goals. And although his campaign with the Red Devils ended a month prematurely, the Swede still finished the season with an impressive tally of 28 goals in all competitions.
Having been sidelined with a long-term knee injury, though, Ibrahimovic’s time at Manchester United has come to an end after the club chose not to exercise their option to extend his contract into a second season.
The 35-year-old is still continuing his rehabilitation at Manchester United, meanwhile, following which he will seek a new club. His search for his next destination had, as per the report, led him to Real Madrid with the player of the belief that the Spanish club would help him achieve his dream to win the Champions League.
Ibrahimovic had even offered to play for a lower pay package than what he had a Manchester United, but Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has turned down the opportunity to sign the former Barcelona striker.
Los Blancos have their eyes set on Kylian Mbappe, and they are going to do all that they can to land the sensational teenage prodigy in the summer transfer window, thereby slamming the door shut on Ibrahimovic to make the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu and contest for the Champions League.
The star striker must now set his sights elsewhere should he wish to continue his senior career in Europe. Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic also has offers from the MLS on his table, and it is likely that he’ll move to the USA for the next phase of his career if anything fails to materialise in Europe.
