Another big international name has been attached to Orlando City in the transfer market. Zlatan Ibrahimovic may becoming to Orlando.
It never takes very long for another big international soccer star to send whispers across the Atlantic to play with Orlando City.
After a full season that saw several high profile European stars have their names attached to Orlando City, including Italy’s Mario Balotelli, the latest is another stellar name in Zlatan Ibrahimovic. According to Tutto Mercato Web, Ibrahimovic is interested in a move to Orlando and team and player have made contact (h/t Andy Edwards of Pro Soccer Talk):
According to Tutto Mercato Web, PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic could move to MLS' Orlando City SC next summer. Contact already established.
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) October 5, 2015
Like all the Orlando City rumors that have taken place during this inaugural season, no one is quite sure what to make of the rumor. In all likelihood it is more bluster or bargaining posturing. Or it could be real, who knows?
Orlando City has one major problem when considering these big-name players. The Lions have used all three of their designated player spots — Kaka, Bryan Rochez and Carlos Rivas. In order to get a player of Ibrahimovic’s caliber, they would need to convince one of these three to drop down and count against the cap.
So far this season, Orlando City has been connected to Balotelli among other notable European players. It feels sort of like everyone wants to retire in Orlando if they are going to go the MLS route.
That certainly speaks to the way Phil Rawlins and his team have connected to players overseas. It certainly says something about Orlando as a potential landing spot for international players.
Whether this Ibrahimovic rumor is true or not will have to play out during the summer. It is another interesting thing to watch as Orlando City builds its team in its first MLS offseason.
