90min

AC Milan Remain Confident Zlatan Ibrahimovic Will Sign New Contract

By James Cormack

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a profound effect on Stefano Pioli's Milan last season
Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a profound effect on Stefano Pioli's Milan last season / MB Media/Getty Images
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is yet to sign a new deal at Milan this summer, although I Rossoneri are still confident the Swede will put pen to paper.

The 38-year-old joined Stefano Pioli's side on a short-term deal in January, galvanising an out-of-sorts Milan side and helping them qualify for next season's Europa League with 11 goals and five assists in 20 games.

Multiple-time Champions League winners Milan appeared ready to reward Ibrahimovic for his work in the second half of the campaign by offering him a one-year deal worth £100,000-a-week.

Zlatan celebrating his strike against Sampdoria at the end of last month
Zlatan celebrating his strike against Sampdoria at the end of last month / Paolo Rattini/Getty Images

But Sky Sport Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio reports that there are 'no signals' to indicate the Swedish icon will sign an extension at San Siro soon, although there is no formal deadline for Milan to strike a deal with the veteran striker.

Ideally, Milan would like to have an extension wrapped up before the start of the Serie A campaign on 19 September, and despite delays, they remain confident Ibrahimovic will put to pen-to-paper on fresh terms.

He was pictured wearing the 2020/21 home strip as part of the club's official kit launch, images which seemingly ruled out the Swede's departure and a potential move to Leeds - who are supposedly in the market for a big-name striker this summer.

Milan are on the right track with Stefano Piolo at the helm
Milan are on the right track with Stefano Piolo at the helm / Stefano Guidi/Getty Images

As for Milan themselves, they made significant strides under Pioli last season after a rotten start to the 2019/20 season. Things improved so much towards the end of the season that the club's hierarchy opted to retain the services of the former Fiorentina string-puller, rather than drafting in the genius mind of Ralf Rangnick - who had long been linked with the role.

Pioli's side went on a long unbeaten run after Serie A resumed from their enforced coronavirus hiatus, finishing sixth in Serie A. If Ibrahimovic stays at Milan, hopes of securing a top-four finish next season will be that much more realistic.