Leonardo: Ibrahimovic return to Milan not possible

Amid rumours of AC Milan moving for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gennaro Gattuso has labelled Patrick Cutrone as the next Filippo Inzaghi.

Published : Oct 05, 2018 09:54 IST

LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic
LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic

AC Milan director Leonardo said that Zlatan Ibrahimovic returning is not possible, though he admitted that the LA Galaxy striker was more than a thought for the Italian side.

Ibrahimovic scored 42 Serie A goals for Milan between 2010 and 2012, before leaving to join Ligue 1 giant Paris Saint-Germain.

The former Sweden star has netted 20 times for MLS side the Galaxy so far in 2018, and Milan reportedly made contact with the 37-year-old striker over a possible transfer.

READ: Injury curbing chances for Milan match-winner Cutrone - Gattuso

Milan director Leonardo, however, cast doubt over the rumours prior to Thursday's 3-1 win over Olympiacos in the Europa League. "Ibra has very close ties to Milan, everyone knows this," Leonardo told Sky Sport Italia .

"We cannot deny it was more than a brief thought going through our minds when we first arrived, as he is extraordinary and has very specific characteristics, but right now it's not possible."

Gennaro Gattuso, meanwhile, backed Patrick Cutrone to take up the mantle of Milan legend Filippo Inzaghi amid the links with Ibrahimovic.

ALSO READ: AC Milan 3 Olympiacos 1: Higuain, Cutrone mount Rossoneri rescue act

Cutrone scored either side of Gonzalo Higuain's goal as Milan netted three times in the space of nine second-half minutes to come from behind and beat Olympiacos.

The youngster represented a rare bright spot in Milan's dismal campaign in 2017-18 and Gattuso believes that Cutrone has the skill set to go on and match the career of San Siro great Inzaghi.

"I hope he can become the new Inzaghi. But, he must keep working and keep his feet on the ground," Gattuso told a news conference.

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