FC Barcelona: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future in jeopardy
Juan Mata is creating a lot of hype from FC Barcelona’s ranks. Los Che may allow the 22-year-old Valencia striker to make a move after all the controversies and stories in the media. There are rumours from reliable sources that the Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will either make an exchange with money or will be sold out. Mata from the Valencia team will take his place. The chances of such a happening are likely to say the least, but Barcelona officials have termed the news as wishful thinking.
There are constant refutations from Camp Nou that the Swedish ace is not for sale but on the other hand, agents are busy formulating various deals for the striker. The star was bought last summer from Inter Milan with a price tag of $69 million. Rumours regarding this player are having quite an impact on the European football market. There is some real good interest shown by Ibra Cadarba from the English Premier League. However Ibra does not like the game play of the English league and has made up his mind to move back to Italy.
His departure would leave the path open for Valencia striker David Villa to shine in the ranks. Che needs to make a decision that if he wants to take cash or exchange and replace his players. He has claimed that the sooner the deal is made the better it would be for both the teams.
According to gossip mongers, the target set for Mata is €60 million while his availability will be easily made at €20 million. It is also believed that the Blaugrana will have all the terms and conditions settled before the FIFA World Cup.
More recently, the agent for Catalan striker Ibrahimovic, Mino Raiola, has been extremely angry at the Spanish board as well as Barcelonan coach Pep Guardiola. In a press release, Mino has insulted the ways in which the Swede is being used at Camp Nou.
Ibra, now 28 years old, moved to Catalunya in the summer of 2009 after being part of an exchange deal on cash terms. The transfer was made between the ‘Magician’ and the Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o.
Conversely, Ibrahimovic so far has been incapable of totally grasping the tactics and strategies of the Barca side. Furthermore, with the arrival of world-class Spanish star David Villa, his career might come to a close. Ibra himself denies the exchange on the official level but one could feel that he was unhappy with the situation.
Hearing his feelings, Raiola (Ibra’s agent) protected his client over the humiliating news flowing around. Speaking with the Spanish media, Raiola unleashed an infuriated outburst at Barcelona officials and coach Guardiola.
Talking to the Spanish media, he said, “If you don’t play a footballer after spending €65 million, then you should be sent to a mental hospital. English football may be an option for him (Ibrahimovic), it would be a good test”.
Ibra’s style of game would definitely be an interesting sight for the English fans. His manoeuvrability with the ball, his slick passes as well his excellent finishes are sure to win the hearts of the English crowd. However there has been no official bid on the player as yet. The clubs will be waiting for an opportunity when the Catalans are desperate to sell him.
His agent was either pretty good at hiding things or had no clue about the stars future when he said, “Everything depends on Barcelona. At the moment his future lies here.”
The rumours of his transfer are linked to the English club Manchester City and one of his former club Juventus. Although Ibra’s tales are coming into the media with ferocious speeds in the past few weeks, there have been no official press releases by anybody.
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