ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC SIGNS WITH BARCELONA
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a 5 year deal with Barcelona. Barcelona will pay 46 million euros, plus send Samuel Eto’o (valued at 20 million euros) on a permanent move, and Alexander Hled on loan. If Inter wishes to keep Hleb after the loan it will cost them 10 million euros plus 2 million euros for appearances and results. Ibrahimovic’s contract has a 250 million euro buy out clause!!!
The big Swedish striker will wear the number 9 jersey left by Samuel Eto’o. Zlatan is Barca’s third major signing this summer after already securing Brazilian’s Maxwell and Keirrison.
When asked why he wanted to leave Inter, Zlatan stated that:
“Moreover, I was fed up of Italy, of Milan, of your football: you play badly, there’s too much stress. In short, I needed something else. Did Inter pay me more than any other footballer? No comment.”
“The more I saw Barcelona play, the more I wanted to leave.”
Who can blame the guy? After watching Barcelona and the Spanish national team on display this past year who wouldn’t want to make a move to La Liga.
With Ibrahimovic now signed with Barcelona that means that Samuel Eto’o is now officially an Inter Milan player. The Cameroon international was very pleased with the move and has already set the Champions League trophy as his goal.
“I’m very happy to finally have arrived in Milan,” he said. “For me this is a new adventure and I really want to make the very most of everything. I’m starting a new life and I hope it brings happiness and success. My first aim will be to win the Champions League.”
”I can’t but wish Ibrahimovic good luck. I have won a lot at Barcelona and now I hope to do the same with these colours, if not, more.”
So who comes out the winner in this trade? Personally I think its going to be Inter. The addition of Eto’o, Hleb, and 46 million euros will go a long way towards Inter repeating as Italian champs and making a solid push in the Champions League. If Mourinho uses the funds from the Zlatan sale to acquire his top two targets, Chelsea’s Deco and Carvalho, who are priced at 12 million euros, the Italian giants might just have come up with 3 world class players and some change.
Barcelona loses a guy who scored 39 goals last season plus 46 million euros. I don’t see why keeping Eto’o and forking out another 4 million euros to land David Villa wouldn’t have been more economical. But then again, Zlatan is a very special player. I think his magic might be more appreciated and allowed to flourish at Barcelona than in Italy.
What do you think about this player swap? Who got the better deal? How will the lineups change at Inter and Barca?
May 12th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
We can safely say now this didn’t turn out the way Barca wanted. Eto’o doesn’t have the skills Ibra does, but he has more hustle and he’s a hell of a lot faster. Sometimes Barca gets stuck passing the ball and they need Eto’o\'s blunt approach. They either need a forward like him or a midfielder like Gerrard to add some danger to their long shots.
Not that they’ve had a bad season but it seems like an unnecessary letdown from last season, especially losing to Inter the way they did – domination but very few chances and unlucky with the calls.
May 13th, 2010 at 9:29 am
I think we can now say that Inter got the better end of the deal. Zlatan hasn’t impressed for Barca this season. Watching the Inter v. Barca match, I couldn’t help but imagine how the game would’ve turned out differently if Eto’o was in a Barca jersey and Ibra in an Inter jersey.
Eto’o probably isn’t as technically gifted as Ibra but has a better nose for the goal and vision for making runs. Not to mention superior athleticism. I’m a fan of Ibra so I’m hoping this season was just about him getting adjusted and learning the system. Maybe he’ll settle in next season . . . if they keep him around.