Manchester United on the verge of two major signings
Italian journalist and transfer guru, Gianluca Di Marzio, reported last night that Manchester United are on the verge of completing two major summer signings, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan set to join José Mourinho at Old Trafford.
Di Marzio's report claims that Ibrahimovic is currenlty on holiday in Monte Carlo following his retirement from international football after Sweden were eliminated from the UEFA European Championship in France.
But while on holiday, Ibrahimovic has met with his agent, Mino Raiola, to confirm his intention to move to the Premier League next season and is due to fly to Manchester on Friday (1 July) to finalise a deal with United.
Speculation over Ibrahimovic joining United has been rife for months, with the veteran striker becoming a free agent after last season due to his Paris Saint Germain contract expiring. The hold-up in confirming Ibrahimovic as a Red Devil is believed to be in part due to his participation at Euro 2016, and part due to a clause in his PSG contract the would entitle him to a “loyalty bonus” as long as he had not agreed to join a new club before the end of June.
Mkhitaryan is also a Raiola client, and Di Marzio suggests that United have come to an agreement with Borussia Dortmund over a fee for the Armenian playmaker, with only the final formalities and paperwork to be concluded before the 27-year-old can be confirmed as United player.
Mkhitaryan has one year remaining on his BVB contract, and the German club were initially unwilling to listen to offers. But the player, via Raiola, has agitated for his “dream move” to Old Trafford and the club's stance softened slightly as they placed a €40 million price-tag on his head.
Di Marzio is now reporting that a comprimise of €38 million has been reached between the two clubs.
Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan would be Mourinho's second and third signings as United boss, following the arrival of Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal earlier this month.