AC Milan confirmed Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a contract renewal to extend his stay at the club, providing a timely boost at a critical juncture in our season.
As per the club’s official site, they announced that an extension has been agreed with the 39-year-old and he will return next season to continue to lead our charge, with his previous deal set to expire in the summer.
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The Swede has bagged 17 goals and three assists in 25 appearances so far this season, proving that despite the fact that he turns 40 later this year, he can still produce the quality needed at this level on a consistent basis.
There is a slight concern that he has now missed 16 games this season due to injury, and so naturally it’s hoped that he can stay healthy moving forward, particularly in the next few weeks as Milan continue to battle for a top-four finish in Serie A.
Nevertheless, combine his experience and influence with that goals tally and it’s the right move from a Milan perspective to extend his stay at San Siro, as there is still another year at least in Ibrahimovic to compete at this level and make a difference.
That said, Milan can’t afford to just rest all their hopes on one man.
If Ibrahimovic’s latest stint on the sidelines due to injury has shown us anything, it is that we don’t have a capable replacement in the current squad.
Rafael Leao has failed miserably to fill the void and has proven that he isn’t a centre-forward, or at least he’s not yet ready to carry the responsibility of that role, while Ante Rebic undoubtedly performs better out on the left flank.
Mario Mandzukic is still working towards full fitness but it’s hoped that he can emerge as a short-term solution. Nevertheless, Milan need to sign another striker this summer to add more firepower to the squad and it’s imperative they act now as there is also the benefit of having a new signing work alongside Ibrahimovic before he’s no longer part of the squad.
A year working alongside, competing with and learning from Ibra would be hugely beneficial to any young striker in particular, and so while one key piece of business has been taken care of with the contract renewal, there is still work to be done this summer.
It’s hoped that we’ll have the boost of Champions League football to help us acquire our preferred target to fill that position ahead of next season, with Ibrahimovic set for a dual role of leading our bid for success while perhaps also training up an apprentice to take his role in the future.
