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Zlatan's next step: 5 potential destinations

John Sibley / Reuters

On the heels of Friday's announcement that he would be leaving Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become the topic of transfer speculation, with several marquee sides slated to duel for his services.

Ahead of the opening of the summer transfer window, here's a look at five potential destinations for football's curator of momentous moments:

Manchester United

With reports surfacing Friday that Manchester United has become front-runners to secure the services of the 34-year-old goal-machine, Ibrahimovic may finally make the Premier League switch if the price is right.

Report: Manchester United emerges as favourite to sign Ibrahimovic

Considering Ibra's opulent tastes and United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward's penchant for opening the pocket book, Old Trafford could be the angular striker's next home. Out of contract at PSG, Ibrahimovic's free sale would be countered by his reported £300,000-a-week after taxes demands.

Among United's highest paid players are Wayne Rooney on a reported £260,000-a-week and star shot-stopper David De Gea with £200,000. If the club is willing to shell out £200,000-a-week for treatment table regular Bastian Schweinsteiger, why not pony up an extra £100,000 for the 112-time capped international?

The potential return of Jose Mourinho to the Premier League could also motivate Ibrahimovic, with the two of them having enjoyed a spell at Inter Milan, winning a Scudetto title together in 2008-09.

Probability: 30%

LA Galaxy

According to bookmakers, the LA Galaxy are favourites to sign Ibrahimovic with 4/6 odds, though it remains to be seen how the MLS' league-regulated salary structure could afford the Swede's demands.

Related - Report: Ibrahimovic in discussions to play in MLS; LA Galaxy the favourite

Ibrahimovic still has his goal-scoring boots in fine form, leading Ligue 1 with 36 goals in 30 matches this season, begging the questions, why the MLS and why now?

"I would like to play in US, absolutely," the Swede said in 2015.

"I would like to play," he said. "Which team? Am I allowed to say that? No, I cannot say that."

The Galaxy already have their three Designated Players in Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, and Giovani Dos Santos on the roster. That said, the club has been crafty in moving around money in the past, and if Ibrahimovic were going to make the TransAtlantic switch, it would either be to LA or David Beckham's yet-to-be-finalised Miami expansion franchise.

Probability: 30%

AC Milan

A return to Serie A could also be in the cards for Ibrahimovic, though a desire to finally win the Champions League could dissuade the Swede from joining a side destined to miss out on the continent's top-tier tourney for a second season on the trot.

Ibrahimovic dominated Serie A whilst at AC Milan, first on a season-long loan from Barcelona in 2010-11 and again in 2011-12 after signing for the Rossoneri for €24 million. Ibra lifted the Scudetto in his first season with Milan before scoring 28 times in 32 appearances the following year.

"I have a good relationship with Milan and I care about them. They are the biggest club I played for," Ibra said about his former club this week.

"It wasn't me who wanted to leave when I left Milan, it was other people, but it went the way it went. Now we'll see how the future is."

Related: Chinese group could complete AC Milan takeover by end of season, says broker

Those comments have seemingly opened the door for Ibrahimovic's return to the San Siro, especially with the club's financial worries slated to be corrected by a potential Chinese takeover that would prompt Silvio Berlusconi's highly anticipated exit.

"You never know if the future will be the same as the past, but let's see. All will be revealed soon."

Probability: 20%

China

Money talks. Just ask Demba Ba, Alex Teixeira, Ramires, Paulinho, and Jackson Martinez, all of whom made the switch to the Chinese top flight in search of obscene salaries and lucrative marketing opportunities.

With Ibrahimovic and super agent Mino Raiola reportedly demanding £300,000-a-week after taxes, there are only so many clubs that can afford the angular Swede. Reports in March suggested the Chinese government would table a £59-million bid in hopes of luring him to the Super League.

Probability: 15%

Arsenal

The least likely of the five scenarios, Arsenal would most certainly not overhaul its wage structure to pay Ibrahimovic £300,000-a-week, though few clubs with title ambitions in Europe's top leagues need a striker more than the Gunners do.

With one year left on his contract amid a trying time for the 20-year tenured gaffer, Arsene Wenger may be willing to throw convention out the window to secure the services of Ibrahimovic. If Ibra is going to join the Premier League ranks for the first time in his decorated career, Manchester United is a far more likely destination, with Arsenal monitoring the likes of Alvaro Morata and Karim Benzema instead.

Stranger things have happened in English football.

Probability: 5%

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