No loan move for Zlatan - (2026)

Updated: 24/02/2026

LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ruled out a potential loan move to a European club during the January transfer window, insisting that he will give his full attention to the MLS franchise. Ibrahimovic joined LA Galaxy last March after his contract was terminated by Manchester United. The 37-year-old has since made 27 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals in the process.

It's not uncommon to see former European stars embark on a career in America, only to return to Europe on loan during the MLS offseason. David Beckham is one notable example, along with the likes of Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane, all of whom enjoyed periods out on loan from their respective MLS clubs.

Ever since the beginning on the 2018/19 Premier League season, there has been a suggestion that Manchester United may attempt to bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic back to Old Trafford on a short term loan. The move makes sense for both parties when considering United's difficult start to the season, and Zlatan's own feelings of unfinished business in the English top-flight. Last month however, Jose Mourinho insisted that the club had little interest in Zlatan, effectively putting these rumours to bed, but there are still plenty of other options for the dynamic Swede.

LA Galaxy failed to reach the 2018 MLS playoffs when they surrendered a two-goal lead to Huston Dynamo on the final day of the regular season. The result meant another year without a trophy for the club, and perhaps more significantly, another year without silverware for Zlatan.

The media focus has now returned to questions over a potential loan move, yet Zlatan has insisted that he will remain in Los Angeles for the immediate future. “If I belong to Galaxy, I am a Galaxy player,” said Ibrahimovic. “I don't go abroad and do these things – loan and this… I don't need that.

“I mean if I belong to one club, I stay in one club. I focus on that club and I give all my attention to that club, so that is not in my mind.”

“For me to return, I want to be able to challenge for the trophy,”

“I am not here for a vacation. I am here for the challenge” he added. “I want to feel I have a chance to be the best in MLS – my team, not me, because I am the best. I want to feel my team against the other ones.”

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