Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Barcelona and Nowhere Else
Statements have been released left and right, but in the end, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent Mino Raiola has declared that the Swede will stay put in Camp Nou. Raiola denied the rumours that Ibrahimovic, who has a four-year contract with Barcelona, is leaving the Catalan club this summer. The agent insists that the highly-rated player is under contract and will play for the Catalan giants this season.
The arrival of Spanish superstar David Villa from Valencia has sparked rumours that Ibrahimovic’s services may not be needed in coach Pep Guardiola’s team. There have also been several offers placed on Ibrahimovic by a number of prestigious clubs, including Inter Milan and Manchester City. However, the Swede striker has cleared all the rumours and asserted that he will wear red and blue stripes this summer. Raiola stated: “It starts and ends here. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is staying at Barcelona, the club with whom he has a four-year contract.”
Villa’s move to Barcelona ignited rumours of Ibrahimovic’s move elsewhere, especially because the latter did not make waves in his debut in Barcelona right after he moved in from Inter Milan. However, Raiola said that Ibrahimovic will be the “focus of Barcelona's attack” once again next season, despite the attention being given to Villa. He said further, “David Villa is a great player, and it is normal that Barcelona would want to acquire him. But if it his [Villa's] intention to come to Barcelona and replace Zlatan, then he may as well stay with Valencia next season."
Villa confirmed that he does not want to outshine Ibrahimovic. The Spanish striker reveals that it has always been his dream to play for Barcelona but it has never crossed his mind to take away the spotlight from the Swede. In fact, he told AS reporters that he can play alongside Ibrahimovic and also expressed his confidence in the current Barca squad. "I am compatible with Ibrahimovic. Totally. In football there is nothing incompatible and less so with such quality players like him. I know we have a great squad and the quality to win it all,” he told the reporters.
Despite reports of Ibrahimovic already being dispensable in Camp Nou, other clubs were allegedly looking forward to having him in their team. For instance, Spanish media have been speculating a move for Ibrahimovic to Manchester City in exchange for the English club’s Robinho. The Brazilian has shown his intentions of moving away from Eastlands. The Spanish media further suggested that Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is finding a way out for Robinho by transferring him to Camp Nou, in exchange of Ibrahimovic. It would have apparently been a win-win situation for all parties involved, because there have been hints that Barcelona would not need Ibrahimovic this season and Ibrahimovic himself said that he is interested in moving to the Premier League.
However, rumours of an Ibrahimovic move to Inter Milan were stronger. Ariedo Brada, sporting director of Milan, declared a possibility of Ibrahimovic moving to Milan. "It is not as simple as it seems, but it is possible. I know him well, he is a quality player and for Milan he would be a great acquisition. The problem is that we already have four or five strikers, and if he were to arrive, we would need to sell someone," explained Brada. The surplus of strikers is indeed an obstacle. For instance, Martin Caceras had no chance of playing for Inter because only four spots were available. Caceras played for Juventus on loan last season.
No transactions were firmed and in the end, Ibrahimovic’s camp declared that the Swede striker will stay in Barcelona this season. "There aren't talks with any other clubs. Jose Mourinho respects him, Carlo Ancelotti respects him, even clubs in Germany respect him, but Ibra is staying at Barcelona,” Raiola confirmed.
This season, Ibrahimovic will be competing for three spots alongside giants like Villa, Lionel Messi, Pedro and Bojan Krkic. Ibrahimovic’s agent remains confident though and for a reason. Barca may have been defeated by Sevilla in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup 3-1 but it was the Ibrahimovic who scored the only goal for the Blaugrana 20 minutes into the game. After all, he wouldn’t be called “Ibracadabra” for no reason.
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