Zlatan Ibrahimovic is hoping to win a new two-year deal at Manchester United and the club remain confident of keeping him at Old Trafford, sources have said.
Ibrahimovic has been an instant hit at United since joining on a free transfer last summer from Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 26 goals in all competitions so far this season, including two in last weekend’s EFL Cup final victory over Southampton.
The 35-year-old signed a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months upon his arrival at United and Jose Mourinho has urged the club to resolve the striker’s future and even called on the club’s fans to camp outside the player’s house to convince him to stay.
The player’s agent, Mino Raiola, claimed earlier this week no decision had been made on Ibrahimovic’s future amid suggestions he could leave if United failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, something the player has denied.
Sources close to the player have reiterated that and told ESPN FC that Ibrahimovic is happy at Old Trafford and is hopeful the club will offer him a one-year extension on top of the 12-month option at the end of his current contract which would keep him at the club until 2019.
Amid uncertainty over Wayne Rooney’s future beyond this summer, Mourinho could be short on attacking options if he were to also see Ibrahimovic depart.
Talks over Ibrahimovic’s contract are expected to gather pace closer to the end of the season as United are currently still battling for honours in the Europa League and FA Cup as well as trying to finish in the top four in the Premier League.
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