Man Utd Transfers: Zlatan Ibrahimovic To Be Released Today?
The big Swede won't have his contract renewed by the Red Devils...
Manchester United are expected to confirm the release of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Friday afternoon, reports TeamTalk.
The Europa League winners won't be exercising the option to trigger a one-year extension in Ibra's contract, meaning the hitman is free to find another club.
After going down with a serious knee injury during a match against Celta Vigo in early-May, Ibrahimovic hasn't kicked a ball and recent reports suggest he could be out until 2018. The damaged cruciate would keep the Swede benched until January at the earliest, so it makes sense that Jose Mourinho would be looking at other options.
This will come as a blow to the 35-year old forward, who scored an impressive 28 goals during his maiden campaign in England.
Real Madrid's 24-year old striker Alvaro Morata could be a straight replacement. Man Utd did have a £52.4 million bid rejected by the Spanish club, but they are expected to up the offer and try again.
Mourinho has money to play with, certainly on the wage bill, after Ibrahimovic's release. Figures divulged in a recent book (Football Leaks: The Dirty Business of Football) claim the player was on £19 million per year in Manchester.