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Ibrahimovic reveals Guardiola rift

Sports Desk |
Update: 2010-08-25 21:57:22
Ibrahimovic reveals Guardiola rift

ROME: Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed that his Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola hardly ever speaks to him as rumours linking him with a move to AC Milan gathered pace.

The 29-year-old played for Barca in a friendly against Milan in Spain on Wednesday night, after which he told reporters that he had no relationship with his club coach, although he claimed he knew nothing about Milan`s reported interest.

"I haven`t heard anything and I don`t know who wants me," he told Sky Sport 24.

"In six months I`ve spoken twice to the boss, I don`t know what the problem is, I can`t answer that.

"I have a contract with Barcelona and I`m also wondering what the problem is with Guardiola and I don`t know.

"If I speak to the club management they say they don`t want to sell me but I don`t speak with the coach."

Asked a very direct question if he would like to play alongside Milan`s Ronaldinho, a former Barca star, Ibrahimovic replied in the affirmative.

The speculation about a possible move for the Swede started when Barcelona splashed out 40 million euros on Spain forward David Villa from Valencia.

Many saw him as a replacement for Ibrahimovic as the Catalans` central striker.

The problem facing Milan, though, is that only a year ago Barcelona forked out 50 million euros plus Samuel Eto`o to bring the Swede to the Nou Camp.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani admitted the two teams were in discussions but said money was a stumbling block.

The Italians recently arranged a complicated loan agreement with Genoa to land Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng because of their lack of funds.

Genoa bought Boateng and loaned him immediately to Milan with the view to selling him at a profit in a year, when Milan have some money.

"It`s a very difficult negotiation and very expensive," said Galliani of the Ibrahimovic deal.

"We will meet again (Thursday) at midday (1000GMT). We`re working to bring another great player to Milan.

"We must not kid ourselves, but I don`t want to rule anything out either.

"Barcelona want to sell the player as long as he agrees to come. But there`s a mountain of money to climb, and that will be difficult."

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Milan want a two-year loan for the player while Barcelona want to recoup the 50 million euros they splashed out.

Ibrahimovic`s agent Mino Raiola, who previously had said the player was 99.9 percent sure to stay in Spain, described negotiations as difficult.

"It`s a difficult deal, the two parties are a long way from an agreement," he said.

"Obviously Ibrahimovic is following the evolution of the negotiations, it will be a long week full of meetings but luckily Ibrahimovic`s club aren`t asking him to leave, so he`s calm."

There is just under a week left before the transfer window closes until January.

BDST: 1759HRS, August 26, 2010

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