Signing Zlatan 15 years ago
“Eventually, though, Martin did get in touch and said: ‘Right, we are getting someone over this weekend.
‘Find out his contract situation for me’.
“I replied: ‘Sorry, you are too late – Ajax have just bought him for £5m.’”
A free agent after coming to the end of his deal with Paris St Germain, 34-year-old Ibrahimovic has a dazzling array of options open to him around the world, including a reported £55m offer in China.
His heart seems to be set on playing for Manchester United and Jose Mourinho, his old boss at Inter Milan.
A move to Old Trafford has only been delayed by the decision of Swedish coach Erik Hamren not to let him fly over for signing talks in the middle of the Euros.
Mourinho and Ibrahimovic were very successful together in Italy, winning back-to-back Serie A titles with Inter.
Those successes set the club up for their Champions League win in the Final against Bayern Munich in 2010.
The Swede, a former team-mate of Hoops legend Henrik Larsson, has previously spoken warmly of Celtic and described Celtic Park as a place any top player would want to end their career.
Martin O’Neill will get up close to the one who got away when his Republic side take on Sweden at the Stade de France in their opening tie at the Euros tomorrow night.