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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is weighing up a move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Jordi Blanco of Sport reports that Perez met up with Qatar Sports Investments, PSG's owners, "to negotiate a contract for ACS (Perez's company) to take on construction work in the country." However, he also noted Zlatan "was talked about" during the exchange.
Blanco discussed PSG's decision not to fulfill Ibrahimovic's request of increased wages for the final year of his contract. Although he is expected to stay, Madrid are capable of offering him the terms he desires.
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New Los Blancos coach Rafa Benitez needs an additional striker after the club decided against turning the loan of Manchester United poacher Javier Hernandez into a permanent move. Blanco doesn't believe Ibrahimovic would arrive as cover, though, and he is more likely to replace Karim Benzema in the startling lineup.
United's Robin van Persie has also been linked to the Bernabeu, as reported by ESPN (h/t AS). The Dutchman hit just 10 Premier League goals during a spell of injury and poor form last season, perhaps pushing him to the brink of a United exit.
Benitez "would be delighted" to sign Van Persie if the player agrees to playing back-up, according to AS. The report also suggests if Cristiano Ronaldo can't be convinced to take on a No. 9 role—ditching his usual position from the left wing in the process—Benitez's need for a central striker will ramp up.
Van Persie continues to be linked with a move to Turkey, reported David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com:
Benitez is also being linked with a move for Juventus frontman Fernando Llorente, per Blanco. He would be an underwhelming capture compared to the potential arrival of Ibrahimovic or Van Persie, although he is the only player who has proved himself in Spain (with Athletic Bilbao).
Madrid's play was unbalanced under Carlo Ancelotti last season. They were wildly entertaining, sure, but their flamboyancy often struggled against top-tier opponents. While landing a new striker is an important step for Benitez—one which will provide the first glimpse of his ambition—the coach must restore sustainable order to the rest of the side.
Ronaldo will score plenty whether he's stationed in the middle or not. Thoughts of him working alongside Ibrahimovic and Bale should excite Madrid supporters, who will become frustrated with Benitez if he doesn't win a trophy in his opening season.
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While Van Persie would also be a top-quality capture, it seems unlikely either would accept anything other than a first-team role in the Spanish capital.
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