Zlatan Ibrahimovic reveals he nearly signed for Man City, Arsenal

Zlatan has always been a wanted man.

Ibrahimovic, 34, has enjoyed a sterling start to his first-ever spell in the Premier League, scoring three goals in his first three Premier League games for Manchester United, all of which have been victories.

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Although we know he was close to signing for Arsenal when he was younger, the enigmatic forward has revealed that he turned down both the Gunners and United’s crosstown rivals Man City in the past.

The timing of this revelation couldn’t be more dramatic from Zlatan ahead of the Manchester derby this Saturday (Watch live, 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN and online via NBC Sports) at Old Trafford.

Here’s what Zlatan said about former interest from the PL.

“I was close to moving to the Premier League twice - once with Arsenal and then Manchester City. But it never happened and I don’t need to play in the Premier League,” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sports. “Mourinho is the mastermind, the masterbrain. He knows what he needs to do to win. I learned a lot from him at Inter. Who wouldn’t want to have Mourinho as manager?”

Obviously you’re a big fan of Mourinho, Zlatan.

It is so Zlatan to state that he doesn’t need to play in the PL but it just seems like perfect timing with Mourinho arriving at Manchester United. All of the egos aligned.

One of the greatest strikers the world has ever seen is playing for one of the greatest managers at one of the greatest and biggest clubs.

Arsenal and Man City fans: don’t you wish you had signed Zlatan over the past few years?

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