Zlatan
Football Soccer - Chelsea v Paris St Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg - Stamford Bridge, London, England - 9/3/16 Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring the second goal for PSG Reuters/Eddie Keogh

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has welcomed the idea of playing alongside Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic if the Red Devils were to acquire the Swede international this summer.

“I don't know what he is going to do, whether he is going to stay there or not. Maybe he will try a new chapter in his long career,” Mata said, reports Sky Sports. “He is a very good player and I like to play with very good players. Every player would be happy to play with him.”

Ibrahimovic has been linked to Premier League clubs, with the 34-year-old set to explore the transfer market once his contract with PSG expires at the end of the season. United are rumoured as one of the clubs interested to acquire Ibrahimovic after hinting at a possible move to Old Trafford for a possible reunion with incoming boss Jose Mourinho, who is widely speculated to replace current Red Devils boss Louis Van Gaal.

Ibrahimovic has scored 136 goals in 166 appearances for the French giants since his arrival at Parc des Princes in 2012. With United struggling to find the net this season, acquiring Ibrahimovic would instantly boost the club’s offense.

United are also bidding to improve their defense this summer by targeting the likes of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Barcelona’s Marc Bartra, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Italian media outlet Gianluca Di Marzio reported that United have submitted “concrete” offers for the Senegal star, who has made 44 appearances for Napoli since his debut in 2014. However, Metro’s Tom Olver reckons the Red Devils may have a hard time luring Koulibaly to the Premier League, with the Senegal international’s agent in talks for a contract renewal with the Serie A outfits.

Meanwhile, Bartra has been also linked to United, as well as EPL rivals Liverpool, as suggested by Spanish newspaper El Confidencial. Bartra could be on a bargain, with his release clause dropping from £20 million (AU$37.3 million) to £19 million (AU$35.5 million) due to lack of appearances for Barca.

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