Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent has revealed that the Swedish striker stay at Juventus, but only if the club offer him a substantial pay rise.
Juventus will learn of the result of their appeal against relegation to Serie B and 30 point deduction on Tuesday, but news of the demotion has already sparked a mass exodus from the club with Gianluca Zambrotta, Lilian Thuram, Emerson and Fabio Cannavaro already leaving, and Ibrahimovich was expected to follow.
However, his representative Mino Raiola believes the striker may yet stay at Stadio Delle Alpi, if the club offfer him a pay rise.
“Surely [he won’t stay] with these conditions,” Raiola told Corriere dello Sport.
“The club know and knew really well our intentions.
“Zlatan felt good in Turin and he wouldn’t have problems in staying, but the contract conditions must change, and not just a little.
“I’m not pessimistic or optimistic about Zlatan’s stay, I’m simply realistic and I live day by day.
“Our position is clear and the first step is up to the club, we are ready to talk and to discuss.
“It’s possible to find a solution, with Juve there is a particular feeling but we must deal with facts because the club could change category and certain big players have already left.
“Anyway the player’s professionalism isn’t under discussion, he will go to training.”
However, any talk of a pay rise looks like wishful thinking given Juventus’ current situation. Revenues will fall sharply over the next couple of years and the prospect of any player being offered improved terms in the current climate seems remote.
