Galaxy orbiting around Zlatan
LOS ANGELES — Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy has made a record bid to lure Zlatan Ibrahimovic to North America, Sports Illustrated reported on its website on Wednesday.
The magazine’ s soccer correspondent, Grant Wahl, reported“multiple sources” had confirmed the Galaxy’s move to pry the striker away from Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic joined the Premier League giant last year on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, signing a one-year contract with an option for a further year.
Reports in British media recently have said the 35-year-old Swedish star is anxious to negotiate a new deal at United.
But, speaking after the Red Devils’ recent League Cup final victory over Southampton at Wembley, Ibrahimovic was reluctant to comment on his future.
“Let’s see what happens. We have another two months of the season to go,” said Ibrahimovic, who has scored 26 goals in all competitions for United this season.
Sports Illustrated said the proposed deal for Ibrahimovic would make him “easily” the highest-paid player in MLS history, but did not give a figure.
Although MLS teams have a salary cap, each club is permitted to carry three designated players who are exempt from wage restrictions.
Orlando City’s Brazilian former world footballer of the year Kaka is the highest paid player in MLS history, commanding an annual salary of around $7.2 million.
Ibrahimovic is currently reported to be paid a salary of around $365,000 per week by United, or just under $19 million a year.
Manchester United plays Chelsea on Monday with a place in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley up for grabs and a score to settle with Jose Mourinho’s old employer.
But the hopes of breaching the Blues’ backline suffered a blow when striker Ibrahimovic was handed a three-game suspension for elbowing Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings in their Premier League clash last weekend.