MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 07: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Crotone at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 07, 2021 in Milan, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Milan Director Confident Zlatan Ibrahimovic Will Stick Around

Paolo Maldini voiced his confidence about the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the club despite his age and the expiring contract in an interview with Bein Sports, where he also touched on the ongoing negotiations to renew the deals of Hakan Calhanoglu and Gianluigi Donnarumma, who are in the same situation.

The executive stated: “We are one of the youngest sides in Europe and we need a leader like Ibrahimovic. We tried to sign him in 2018 already, when he was playing with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He told me that his decision will hinge on his physical conditions, but if he keeps playing like this I do not see any reason why he would not be with us next year as well.” The Swedish star has scored 14 goals in 11 appearances despite missing over a month with thigh and calf injuries.

According to Tuttosport, Ibrahimovic will make the call in the Spring and will weigh whether he can endure another year away from his family, which lives in Sweden, and might consider winning the Scudetto the right way to ride into the sunset. However, the current signals indicate that he is going to stay with the Rossoneri.

On the other extensions, Maldini said: “In these instances you need both parties to be in agreement, this wait is normal and we are working on them. They are very professional and they are fully focused on what happens on the pitch, we hope to come to terms soon.”