Ibrahimovic keen on Ancelotti link-up
Everton poised to name Italian as new manager Veteran striker available to sign on a free transfer
Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be interested in joining Everton once Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment as manager is confirmed.
The 38-year-old striker is available on a free transfer next month and has been examining his options as he seeks to return to Europe after 18 months with LA Galaxy.
The Swede considered a move to Napoli before Ancelotti was sacked this month. Ibrahimovic regards the Italian highly, having worked with him at Paris St-germain.
Tottenham Hotspur, managed by another of Ibrahimovic’s former managers, Jose Mourinho, had, briefly, expressed interest in him. It had been thought that Ibrahimovic was on his way back to AC Milan, but they suggested last week that the move was becoming less likely.
Manchester United have already ruled out bringing Ibrahimovic back to Old Trafford, where he spent a successful spell under Mourinho before suffering a career-threatening knee injury in April 2017. However, he recovered and wants to continue playing.
Everton have been in the market for a striker. It was a priority under previous manager Marco Silva, with Cenk Tosun surplus to requirements and the burden falling on Dominic Calvert-lewin.
It will also be hoped that if Ibrahimovic joins, he can help 19-yearold Moise Kean, who has struggled since his £25million move from Juventus in the summer.
Ancelotti has agreed terms and his appointment is expected to be announced this week. Caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson took charge of the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Leicester City and may well be called upon for one more game, at home to Arsenal tomorrow, before handing over the reins.
Ancelotti has already met senior figures at Everton and has agreed his staff list. That is likely to include his son, Davide, fitness trainer and coach Francesco Mauri and Ancelotti’s son-in-law, nutritionist Mino Fulco, who has worked with him at previous clubs Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Napoli.
The final negotiations with Napoli are not expected to pose a major obstacle to Ancelotti’s appointment. He has already been replaced by Gennaro Gattuso.
Ancelotti, who is expected to sign a deal until 2024, has been given assurances that he will be able to make changes to his squad in the next transfer windows and that Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s owner, continues to have ambitions of breaking into the top six.