Everton are reportedly lining up a shock move for free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic and have made contact with his agent, Mino Raiola.
Ibrahimovic has been on the lookout for a new club since leaving LA Galaxy at the end of the 2019 MLS season, having netted 31 times in 31 matches in his final campaign in the United States.
The former Manchester United forward has previously been linked with Tottenham before Jose Mourinho ruled out a move, while last month it was claimed he agreed a deal to re-sign for Milan.
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Nonetheless he remains a free agent, and, according to Naples publication Area Napoli, Everton have been in touch with the Swede’s agent about making Ibrahimovic the highest-paid player at Goodison Park.
The Toffees reportedly want to add Zlatan to their struggling squad, paying him around £3.4million-per-year on a short-term deal until the end of the season. The contract may also include a clause allowing it to be extended by another year, running to June 2021.
Napoli and Bologna have also voiced their interest in the 38-year-old Ibrahimovic, who is keen on a return to European football after his spell in the US.
Super-agent Raiola, however, has said it remains to be seen where his client’s future lies.
“It’s not been said that he will necessarily return to Italy,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Which of the three interested clubs will he choose? Who knows, we’re all free men.
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“Could he retire? I’m not going to exclude anything but it is very unlikely. Ibra is still very well.”
Ibrahimovic recently became co-owner of Hammarby, rivals of his hometown club Malmo, a move that was not well received by the club’s fans.
A 9ft statue built in his honour outside Malmo’s stadium was set on fire by angry fans, who covered it with a sheet and hung a toilet seat on it.