Mourinho set to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to become the first signing of the Jose Mourinho era at Manchester United.

It is understood Ibrahimovic, a free agent after his contract with Paris St Germain expired, has agreed a deal to join United this summer.

Ibrahimovic, 34, is said to have agreed a one-year deal with an option for a further year, and the move could be announced within the next 48 hours.

The Sweden skipper was keen to resolve his future before he leads his country at Euro 2016 and will be reunited with incoming United boss Jose Mourinho, whom he played under at Inter Milan.

Mourinho wants to begin work immediately and has been working on transfer targets, with United determined to do their business early under their new boss.

United recognise they will need to spend big for the third straight summer to give Mourinho the best possible chance of turning them into champions again.

Mourinho has identified Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, Everton’s John Stones, Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos and Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as his key targets.

United are also confident Mourinho can ensure they land Swedish maverick striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who enjoyed success under the Special One at Inter Milan.

Ibrahimovic is a free agent after his deal at PSG expired and United are willing to meet his wage demands of £250,000-a-week, as long as Mourinho can bring him to Old Trafford.

Those players likely to be binned by Mourinho include Juan Mata, who was sold by him at Chelsea, and Germany skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger, who cannot be relied upon to stay fit.

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