Zlatan Ibrahimovic ‘contacted Paris Saint-Germain about a sensational return to his former club this summer’ before he signed a new deal with AC Milan after the French giants turned him down
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed a one-year extension at AC Milan in April this year
- But reports in France claim he explored the possibility of returning to PSG
- The Swede scored 156 goals and won four Ligue 1 titles at the Parc des Princes
- But talks with PSG proved to be inconclusive and made him stay at Milan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic explored the possibility of completing a stunning returning to Paris Saint-Germain this summer prior to signing a new deal at AC Milan, according to reports in France.
The 39-year-old striker penned a one-year extension at San Siro in April which will see him play on at the Serie A giants beyond his 40th birthday.
But according to Le Parisien, the Sweden international sounded out the chance of returning to the French capital with the help of his agent Mino Raiola, whose links with PSG sporting director Leonardo had brought about discussions.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic contacted former club PSG about returning before signing on at AC Milan
The 39-year-old striker (second from right) penned a one-year extension at San Siro in April
But the report adds that the Ligue 1 giants had other plans and talks with the French club did not lead to any agreement.
The deadlock in talks with PSG therefore led Ibrahimovic to prolong his second stint at Milan, having scored 17 goals from 25 matches in his first season back in the Italian city.
The Swede scored 156 goals in 180 appearances for PSG during a four-year stay at the Parc des Princes between 2012 and 2016.
He won Ligue 1 in each of his four seasons and was also part of PSG sides who won two Coupe de France titles and three Coupe de la Ligue crowns.
But reports in France claim he contacted the club where he won four Ligue 1 titles beforehand
Only current Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has more goals for PSG in their entire history, with the Uruguayan reaching the 200-goal milestone before leaving for Old Trafford last summer.
Ibrahimovic also spent two seasons at Old Trafford and won the League Cup and Europa League under Jose Mourinho.
A move to LA Galaxy then transpired before leaving the MLS side and returning to AC Milan, who he first represented between 2010 and 2012 after falling out with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.
‘I feel really happy. I’ve been waiting for this day. I’m staying for another year. It’s what matters and it’s what’s most important,’ Ibrahimovic said after signing his new Milan deal in April.
‘I’ve always said that playing for AC Milan is like being at home. I am really happy with the way the club makes me feel, everyone that works here, my team-mates and the coach and the fans who I miss a lot in the stadium.
He was helped by Mino Raiola (R) who had contact with PSG sporting director Leonardo (L)
‘This is like being at home. I would stay for the rest of my life if I could, he added. ‘From the very first day, working with coach [Stefano] Pioli has been really easy because he has the right mentality.
‘He has this energy each day that transforms the team because he wants to get the most out of the team. I am really happy with how the club makes me feel.’
Having scored over 500 goals across over 800 appearances in his career, Ibrahimovic has also earned 11 league titles but will be hoping for a 12th next term after watching rivals Inter – another one of his former clubs – win Serie A in 2020-21.
Injury also prevented Ibrahimovic from representing his country at Euro 2020 earlier this summer.