{"id":588574,"date":"2021-04-07T08:00:41","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T12:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=588574"},"modified":"2021-04-07T08:00:41","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T12:00:41","slug":"zlatan-ibrahimovic-renewal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/04\/07\/zlatan-ibrahimovic-renewal\/","title":{"rendered":"Zlatan Ibrahimovi\u0107 Renewal is Getting Closer"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to multiple reports coming out of Italy, Zlatan Ibrahimovi\u0107<\/a> will shortly be extending his contract with AC Milan<\/a>. Nicol\u00f2 Schira, a reputable source for Milan, announced on Twitter<\/a> that Ibrahimovi\u0107 will be extending for another season at seven million Euros per year. Daniele Longo<\/a> of Calcio Mercato and Pietro Balzano Prota<\/a> of Firs1 were also quick to announce the updates. A renewal is clearly on the horizon. Fabrizio Romano,<\/a> too, suggested a Zlatan Ibrahimovi\u0107 renewal is edging closer.<\/p>\n

Zlatan Ibrahimovi\u0107 Renewal Getting Closer<\/h2>\n

The Swede’s Impact<\/h3>\n

It’s impossible to question the impact that Ibrahimovi\u0107 brings to Milan. They’ve been exponentially better since his arrival in December of 2019.<\/p>\n

The Swede was cruising with the club to start the season, playing fantastically and guiding the\u00a0Rossoneri\u00a0<\/em>to first place. It’s no coincidence that Milan took a fall in the standings (currently second but with little margin for error) when Ibrahimovi\u0107 went down with an injury.<\/p>\n

With that being said, Milan are still on track to make the Champions League<\/a>. Qualification for the tournament means everything for the squad, as they’ve been absent since the 2013-14 season. More so than the meaningfulness to the players and fans, the club as a whole needs qualification in order to remain financially sound. Another disappointing season of Europa League qualification likely leads to a firesale of Milan’s top talent.<\/p>\n

Ibrahimovi\u0107 will not let that happen. Besides his impact on the pitch, to a tune of 15 goals in 21 league matches, the Swede is the clear leader of the squad. They listen to his barking commands whether on the pitch or the sideline and more times than not, the team responds brilliantly. Ibrahimovi\u0107 brings tenacity and toughness to a squad that needs it.<\/p>\n

Milan’s Future at Striker<\/h3>\n

The return of Ibrahimovi\u0107 is big news as he remains a talent as well as a leader. He’s currently 39-years-old and will be 40 this coming October. One can certainly argue that Ibrahimovi\u0107 constantly gets the better as he ages. Eventually, however, he’s going to call it quits on his career.<\/p>\n

Milan also struggled to find any consistency at striker during Ibrahimovi\u0107’s injury. Mario Mandzukic<\/a> has barely played due to injury, and Ante Rebic<\/a> and Rafael Le\u00e3o<\/a> are better suited in other roles.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Rossoneri\u00a0<\/em>must make it a priority to find another striker to complement Ibrahimovi\u0107. It will come as no surprise if the Swede starts next season, but Milan need to have<\/a> a capable backup who can start as soon as Ibrahimovi\u0107 hangs up his boots.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>