"?Manchester United are edging towards a deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in what could one of the biggest transfers of the summer. But despite suggestions that the Swede has even already been assigned the number nine shirt, the latest report claims no agreement is currently in place.
The update comes from Sky Sports News, although the general overall feeling is that this is very much a case of 'not yet' with the 34-year-old superstar, rather than 'not at all', and not a reason for fans to grow concerned.
SKY SOURCES: No agreement in place for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to join Manchester Utd #SSNHQ
United are still yet to fully finalise a deal for new manager Jose Mourinho following the departure of Louis van Gaal no Monday. Any contract for Ibrahimovic is thought to be directly related to the arrival of his former Inter boss, so it's not surprising that negotiations should still be in the early stages.
Assuming the deal is completed - the Sun has already revealed Anthony Martial will take the number seven shirt next season to make room - football finance expert Rob Wilson has spoken of the huge commercial impact that bringing Ibrahimovic in could have at Old Trafford.
Zlatan will be given Martial's No.9 shirt, with Martial taking the No.7 from Depay, leaving Memphis where? (@TheSun) pic.twitter.com/xgmfzz23bt
Speaking to BBC Sport, the Sheffield Hallam University lecturer explained that United might effectively almost erase the loss of £30m-£50m in Champions League revenue with Ibrahimovic shirt sales alone.
"It would not surprise me if Zlatan sold more shirts than Ronaldo or Lionel Messi," Wilson said.
"It is a match made in heaven. The football club is commercially so aware who will exploit every commercial opportunity. To them, they are signing a player who understands commercial endorsements and behaves in a way that allows him to maximise them.
"Put that together and you get the holy grail stakes of shirt sales, and stacks of corporate sponsorship."
Wilson additionally suggested that having Ibrahimovic on board next season could also help sell match tickets for games in typically less popular competitions such as the Europa League or Capital One Cup.
He added, "Zlatan has a global profile, and global appeal. Fans will buy shirts with Ibrahimovic on the back in Africa, South East Asia - markets United had a foothold in but not the leverage. Only a few select few players can do that: Gareth Bale, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Ronaldo."
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