‘Zlatan to Stay,’ says PSG Coach Blanc
Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc moved to quell rumors that Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be leaving the capital club.
“There have never been any doubts as to his presence in the team for 2015-16,” said the former France boss, speaking to Les Parisien.
Blanc’s reaffirming comes only a day after Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini admitted that while there was interest, it was unlikely Ibra would be returning to the Serie A outfit where he spent three seasons between 2006 and 2009.
The Swedish striker has also been linked with a return to AC Milan, another of his previous clubs. However according to Blanc, Zlatan and his occasional strike partner Edinson Cavani are both set to remain at PSG.
Cavani, however, continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United. And with United winger Angel Di Maria having been identified as PSG’s principal target on the transfer market this summer, the door could remain open for the Uruguayan to leave the Parc du Princes for Old Trafford. Di Maria came very close to joining the Ligue 1 champions last summer, before eventually signing with United. But after starting out brightly, the former Real Madrid man struggled with injuries and eventually lost his place in the squad.
United boss Louis van Gaal is believed to be willing to let Di Maria go and could offer the Argentine as a makeweight in a deal for Cavani, who the Dutch manager believes would make an ideal replacement for Robin Van Persie.
Meanwhile, Yohan Cabaye has already departed PSG to join Crystal Palace. The French midfielder joined the Parisian club from Newcastle less than two years ago but failed to earn a consistent place in the team.
PSG kick off their 2015-16 campaign on August 7 against Lille.