Zlatan Ibrahimovic explains why he rejected a Manchester City transfer in 2010 when he left Barcelona
The Swedish legend became a star for Manchester United but he nearly signed for their bitter local rivals
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed he turned down a move to Manchester City when he was in his prime because he 'wanted to be happy'.
The Swedish legend was looking for a new club in 2010 after reportedly falling out with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.
And City were ready to splash the cash on Ibrahimovic, having been bought by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, whose transfer budget knew no end.
But the striker opted for a return to Italy instead, joining AC Milan on loan, a deal which eventually became permanent, while City signed Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko.
Now, speaking to the Mirror, the former Manchester United star explains he did not expect to find happiness at the Etihad.
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“I had the chance to go to Manchester City when I was at Barcelona but after that moment in Barcelona, I needed to find happiness," Ibrahimovic said.
"Going back to Italy, I was happy in Italy and I knew I would be happy if I go back and I didn’t know if I would be happy if I go to City because it’s a different challenge.
“It would have been a new club, which Milan also was.
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"But I knew the city because I had three years at Inter, I knew the country, so I took a little bit of a safe card.”
Ibrahimovic did get a brief taste of English football when he moved to the red half of Manchester for a season in 2016.
The 37-year-old now plies his trade in America for MLS side LA Galaxy, where his outspoken personality continues to make him ever-more popular.