Thursday, August 19, 2010

Ibra not leaving Barca

Ibra not leaving Barca

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be leaving the club, according to the player's agent.

Ibrahimovic's future has been subject to conjecture over the summer after AC Milan and Manchester City were the latest to be linked as potential suitors.

The Swede had previously revealed a desire to play in the Premier League, although he insisted he was happy at Camp Nou.

And even though the arrival of David Villa over the summer may see him consigned to the substitutes' bench, Ibrahimovic's agent says his client is committed to Barca.

Mino Raiola told Sky Italia : "Ibrahimovic is not moving.

"Zlatan is a great player who is liked by many clubs, but nothing changes. He is and will be a Barcelona player."

Interest from Italian giants Milan had emerged when Azzurri general director Ariedo Braida talked up a move for the former Inter forward.

Braida claimed he would be willing to ship one of his current pool of attackers out to make way for the 28-year-old.

But Raiola says a deal will not happen because Ibrahimovic wants to see out the remaining four years of his deal at the Catalan club.

"We like Braida's words, but the thing stops there," he said.

"Zlatan wants to stay in Barcelona. In words it is very easy. If Barcelona would sell him, if Milan would buy him, if the player would go away and find an agreement - then it would be a done deal.

"The problem is that Ibra has four years of contract (left) and wants to remain at Barca. We know that many admire him, as (Roberto) Mancini, (Jose) Mourinho and (Carlo) Ancelotti besides Milan, but there has never been any negotiations."

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