Zlatan Ibrahimovic to MLS Rumors Begin to Heat Up
By Marcel Dumas
Every summer there are several top end players whose contract is coming to an end. Along with those ending contracts comes pages of speculation on where said player will call home next. MLS pops up into some of these discussions with some coming to fruition while others are just talk.
This summer offers the opportunity for a truly big fish to be landed by MLS. Reports are making their way across the soccer landscape that PSG star Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in discussions to join MLS. According to an ESPN FC report states his destination would be the LA Galaxy.
If these reports turn out to be true, MLS fans should be thrilled with the idea of Ibra coming to play in MLS. Even at age 34, the Swedish star is still one of the best goal scorers in the world. He has a great balance of technique and physical prowess that makes him dangerous in any situation.
More than his stellar play on the pitch, Zlatan brings an enormous personality to boot. His interviews are typically filled with quotes that make their rounds through the internet. Zlatan being Zlatan brings a side show of epic proportions to what he accomplishes on the pitch.
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The media following of Ibrahimovic would be comparable to the attention the David Beckham received during his time in MLS. The extra attention alone would be another window of opportunity for MLS to showcase their product to the world. The league has gotten better since Beckham’s time. The overall quality is better and the skill level of the players on display continues to grow. Shedding light on this is needed to keep the momentum going in the right direction.
On the flip side of these reports is the ability to make this move happen. As ESPN correctly points out, the Galaxy already have their maximum number of designated players. With Gerrard’s contract coming off the books after this season a spot could open up, but according to the same report, Nigel De Jong will step into that slot. If that is the case, the hope could rest on a possible retirement of Robbie Keane or moving one of their DPs.
Discovery rights will also play a part in any possible deal that goes down as the Galaxy would more than likely have to “acquire” them. It is a foregone conclusion that MLS will do whatever it has to do to accommodate Ibrahimovic’s wishes and land him on the team of his choice.
With Manchester United and other clubs reportedly interested in Ibra as well, it is safe to say that this is far from being set in stone. Even if this is a saga that runs through most of the summer, the benefits of the free press MLS is bound to receive could be a positive thing, but adding Ibrahimovic to the league would be a great thing.