Two potential massive transfer stories involving Jose Mourinho and Manchester United. The first involves superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic who is expected to sign for United before the Euros start.
I wrote back in early March that United had reached an agreement with Ibra, and now Sky Sports is confirming that the deal will be announced next week.
Ibrahimovic has receives massive offers from Chinese Super League clubs as well as offers from Italian clubs. But the lure of the Premier League and the opportunity to play under Mourinho has convinced Ibra to move to Old Trafford on a one-year deal with an option for a second year. Details have not been officially released, but expect Ibrahimovic to become the highest paid player in Premier League history.
Ibrahimovic is a world-class superstar and he would be the biggest name to arrive at Old Trafford in a long, long time.
But Mourinho and Ed Woodward and not settling with making Ibra their only marquee signing. Woodward wants to bring Galácticos to United and Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail is reporting that United are exploring the potential of bringing Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi to Old Trafford next summer once Mourinho gets United back in the Champions League.
Any deal for Messi would obviously smash the £85.3m world record transfer that Real Madrid paid Tottenham for Gareth Bale.
Messi’s current deal at the Nou Camp is set to expire in 2018 and on Friday, sources close to Messi told Crafton that the four-time Ballon d’Or winner refused to rule out of the possibility of a move.
Messi is currently in court in Spain with his father over alleged tax evasion and he is said to becoming increasingly ‘frustrated and hurt’ by the media circus in Spain that has surrounded the case. On Friday, State Attorney Mario Maza said of Messi
“He’s like the boss of a criminal structure but he should have to pay taxes in Spain.”
One onlooker outside the court shouted ‘Go and play in Panama!’ – a reference to the recent Panama Papers leak which saw thousands of documents released relating to off-shore tax havens.
If you listed the top five players in the world right now, both Ibrahimovic and Messi would be on that list. The fact that Manchester United are being linked with both superstars shows the star power of Jose Mourinho, something that has been missing at the club since Sir Alex Ferguson left.
If United, who are by far the richest club in England, are able to combine their wealth with the star power of the Special One, United could be on the verge of entering another one of those golden eras.
What do you think of United signing Ibra? Can you see Messi ever leave the Camp Nou for Old Trafford?
