Zlatan Ibrahimovic could sign new Milan contract to continue playing into his 40s

Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could sign a contract with Italian giants Milan, which would keep him at San SIro past his 40th birthday.

The 39-year-old's current deal expires at the end of the season, but his electric form in the 2020/21 campaign has convinced I Rossoneri that he can still be a match-winner for a while yet.

Recent reports, including from Fabrizio Romano, have suggested that Milan are set for talks with the player and his agent Mino Raiola in the near future to try and finalise the deal as soon as possible.

Based on this season's evidence, it's easy to see why coach Stefano Pioli and technical director Paolo Maldini want to keep him at the club for as long as possible. Ibrahimovic is an incredible leader on and off the pitch, and his arrival saw the rest of the team up their standards accordingly.

But he has surpassed all expectations with his impact in the final third too, scoring 14 goals in only 11 appearances this campaign. Those scintillating displays have catapulted Milan to the top of Serie A, and they are in with a shout of winning the scudetto for the first time since their last success in 2011.

So, I Rossoneri's sudden upturn in form and Ibrahimovic's return at the start of 2020 can hardly be a coincidence.

Speaking about the talismanic Swede, Maldini confirmed that if he 'continues like this', there is no reason why he won't extend his contract beyond this season - despite the forward's 40th birthday coming in October.

"We are one of the youngest teams in Europe and we need a leader like Ibrahimovic," Maldini explained, as quoted by The Sun. "We tried to poach him already in 2018, but at the time he was playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"As for the renewal, he always told us that it will depend on his physical condition, but if he continues like this, I don't see why he can't play for Milan next year."

And Milan boss Pioli echoed Maldini's sentiments after a 4-0 victory over Crotone, in which Ibrahimovic scored a brace, and in doing so notched his 500th career goal.

“Seeing how Ibra trains, we can't be surprised, because he's a champion," he said.

“It's difficult to maintain his current form, as when he's been in shape and started, he's almost always scored two goals, but this is what he's like. Zlatan is happy with us and I think the best thing about this team is that the players are happy. 

“We are a huge club, everyone wants to do well and I think it's right that he continues playing, and that he does it with us.

“He is an athlete who is highly motivated, he's scrupulous in the way he looks after his body with everything from diet to recovery.

“He's tired, but you don't stay at this level for this long without looking after yourself.”