Transfer News: Zlatan Ibrahimovic extends his AC Milan contract by another year; Tonali also a prime target

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after weeks of deliberation, has finally signed a one-year extension to remain at AC Milan, the club has confirmed.

Reports coming out of Italy suggest that the deal, which is worth around £6.2m before any bonuses are taken into consideration, will run until June 30, 2021.

The 38-year-old joined AC Milan club for a second spell on a six-month deal in January, scoring 10 goals in 18 Serie A games to help Milan to a sixth-place finish and a spot in this season’s Europa League.

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic nearing a new deal for 2020/21 season with AC Milan

Ibrahimovic, while speaking to reporters at Milan’s Linate airport on his return to Italy on Saturday night, says: “Finally everything is in place and finally I can return to where I feel at home.”

He then tells Milan’s website: “As I’ve always said, I’m not here to be a mascot. I’m here to bring results and to help the team, the coach and the squad return to where Milan should be.

“We had a great last six months but we haven’t won anything. This year I’ve got the chance to be here from the start so we’ve got to continue like we were, working hard and sacrificing ourselves to reach our goals.”

Ibrahimovic arrived at Casa Milan at 10am on Monday and left 40 minutes later after putting pen to paper. He later trained with the team in the afternoon. He will wear the No 11 shirt for Stefano Pioli’s side.

Ibrahimovic’s previous spell at Milan came between 2010 and 2012, during which he helped the club to the 2011 Italian title.

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Milan also looking good on Sandro Tonali

AC Milan are ahead in the race to sign highly-rated Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to reports in Italy.

The deal to bring him over would be on an initial one-year loan with an option to buy for a total fee rising to 30m Euros (£26.8m).

The 20-year-old Italy international had been watched by Chelsea during Maurizio Sarri’s spell at Stamford Bridge and was also linked with a move to Liverpool and Manchester United.

Milan’s cross-city rivals Inter were in pole position to sign the young midfielder recently, but they decided to pull out to focus on other targets such as Barcelona’s Arturo Vidal.

Tonali impressed during his debut season in Serie A although Brescia were relegated to Serie B after one year in the Italian top flight. He scored once and made seven assists.

AC Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara reached an agreement on Sunday night over a five-year deal for Tonali, who pushed for a move to the club he supported in his childhood.