Real Madrid plot an ambitious swoop for Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan doesn’t go to Real Madrid, Real Madrid go to Zlatan. Well, at least that’s what the Monday back-pages are talking about.

Real Madrid sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in the summer but failed to replace him. After what seemed like a comfortable start to life after the 33-year-old, the Whites started enduring a turbulent run of form which has still not left them. With zero wins in their last five matches and only goal in the run of 450 minutes’ footballing time, Julen Lopetegui has come under pressure of getting shown the exit door.

While the Whites are not having a major problem in keeping the goals out, they are enduring issues with scoring them. As a result, they are rumoured to be planning a stunning transfer for former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Spanish journalist Manolo Lama said that Real Madrid are discussing the prospect of landing the former Sweden international during the January transfer window.

"He said: “Madrid wants a forward and is studying the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the winter market.”"

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The 37-year-old joined Manchester United as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2016. He had a terrific first season at the Old Trafford but saw his second campaign get marred by injuries. As a result, he terminated his contract in north England in March and headed to the United States and is currently on the books of MLS giants LA Galaxy. Zlatan is doing really well for them and has 22 goals in 26 appearances this season.

Despite following his trade for Real Madrid’s bitter rivals Barcelona for one season and leaving after falling out with Pep Guardiola in 2010, the Swede is open to playing for the defending European champions and wanted to join them straightaway in 2010 upon his departure from the Camp Nou as per his agent Mino Raiola.

"“Zlatan wanted to play for Real [Madrid] when he left Barcelona,” he said. “It would have been the ideal move; the perfect revenge against Guardiola. As a person, Guardiola’s behaviour was terrible, shocking. “He’s a great coach. [He called Zlatan] about 10 times [in the year he was at Barcelona]. He told him whatever he needed or wanted, he would be helped with. Then all of a sudden, he stopped talking to him.”"

Opinion

If the rumour of the supposed transfer is actually true then it makes outright sense for both- Real Madrid and Zlatan. The Whites will have a player who guarantees a few goals despite his age and that too for a short while until they sign a major name in the summer. Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will get the chance to potentially end his career on the highest footballing level. In addition to that, he could also give one final shot at winning the UEFA Champions League. What better place would there be to do so that Real Madrid?