Zlatan Ibrahimovic Joins Paris Saint-Germain

Leonardo, sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain, has confirmed along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent that the Swedish striker has come to an agreement with PSG, and that he will undergo a medical on Wednesday. Ibrahimovic is expected to be introduced as a PSG player at a press conference shortly afterwards, potentially alongside another rumored new signing, Pescara’s Marco Verratti.

The 30-year-old Ibrahimovic is coming off of the best season of his career, in which he scored 35 goals in all competitions for Milan. The rossoneri finished second in Serie A, and it was the 2002-03 European season that Ibrahimovic did not play for a team that won its domestic title. His transfer fee is rumored to be €25 million, and his rumored €13 million per season contract will make him one of the highest paid footballers in the world.

And he’s right. There are star strikers around, even if none of them plays quite like Ibrahimovic does. Milan could reasonably hope to acquire one with the €62M that’s just dropped into their pockets. But there are no more Thiago Silvas for sale, no matter how much purchasing power Milan now have.

Zlatan may be one of the best footballers on earth (he’ll certainly tell you so) but considering his wages, selling the Swede was very good business for Milan. More worrisome is trying to replace Thiago Silva. The rossoneri may have managed second last season, but their defence still had its moments of weakness. The Brazilian was the true bright spot at the back, and finding an adequate substitute could take some doing.

Meanwhile, PSG should start their party: everyone knows that where Zlatan goes, trophies follow.