Transfer rumor roundup 6/21: Zlatan Ibrahimovic fielding contract offers
By Nick Pitner
Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors surrounding which players could be joining new teams in the coming months.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been released by Manchester United, is currently fielding offers from Italy and the United States ahead of a free transfer, ESPN reports.
The Swedish legend registered 28 goals and 10 assists through his first 46 appearances with Man United, but then tore his ACL in April, ending his first Premier League campaign prematurely.
In the wake of that injury, which could sideline him until 2018, the 35-year-old wasn’t offered an extension to the one-year deal he signed with the Red Devils last summer.
Although he’s expected to continue his rehab at the club’s facility, Ibrahimovic’s agent Mino Raiola has revealed they are already lining up the player’s next move.
“Many clubs are interested in Ibrahimovic, from MLS in the USA, but also in Italy would be possible,” Raiola said.
While that update should boost LA Galaxy’s and AC Milan’s hopes of securing Ibrahimovic, Raiola slashed Napoli’s chances, saying, “Everything is possible, but I think Napoli will not be his next club.”
Another Man United player drawing transfer interest from Italy is right-back Matteo Darmian, who Gianluca Di Marzio reports is being eyed by Juventus.
With veteran Dani Alves said to be leaving the Old Lady to join United’s cross-town rivals, Manchester City, Juventus have made initial contact with the Red Devils over acquiring Darmian as his replacement.
The 27-year-old played four seasons for Torino before his move to Manchester, but could return to the north of Italy after negotiations were opened Tuesday.
According to the report, Darmian has been slapped with a £17 million price tag, which comes after Antonio Valencia surpassed him to become Manchester United’s preferred right-back this past season.
On the other side of defense, Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney is attracting interest from Liverpool, the Express reports.
The 20-year-old excelled this past season under former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, helping lead Celtic to an unbeaten domestic season.
Next: How will Liverpool line up with Mohamed Salah?
In fact, Tierney has been named Scotland’s PFA Young Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons, which has also reportedly alerted Arsenal and Manchester United.
After fielding 31-year-old James Milner as his first-choice left-back last season, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is understandably keen to acquire a long-term answer at the position this offseason.
While Hull’s Andrew Robertson has also been mentioned as a target for the Reds, Tierney represents an attractive alternative that would probably cost around £15 million.
To conclude, the Mirror reports Swansea have won the race to sign Chelsea starlet Tammy Abraham on loan.
Earlier this week, the club’s chairman acknowledge that Swansea was indeed interested in Abraham, but it was believed that the 19-year-old would wait until returning from the U-21 Euros to make a decision on his future.
Apparently Abraham didn’t need that long, as he’s chosen to play for Swansea over Newcastle this coming campaign.
Of course, Abraham is familiar with Swans manager Paul Clement, who spent time in Chelsea’s youth and first-team setup in the past.
That relationship should help Abraham’s adjustment to top-flight action after he posted 23 goals in 41 appearances for Bristol City in the Championship last term.