Despite mounting speculation linking LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a return to AC Milan, Rossoneri general director Leonardo confirmed that the Italian giants will not bring back the former Swedish international for a second spell at the club.
The Diavolo have experienced a shortage of centre-forwards at times during the early stages of the 2018/19 season but the 37-year-old Swede had vowed to remain in the MLS beyond 2018.
“We thought about it, a presence like his could have helped a lot in our work environment, but he is a man of his word,” Leonardo told Milan TV.
“He had spoken to the Galaxy that he would stay if the Galaxy had met his requests and it happened.”
The Brazilian did not rule out purchasing another striker in the January transfer window but he also reiterated that any new additions will not halter the progress of Italian starlet Patrick Cutrone.
“He will not arrive,” Leonardo said to Sky Sport Italia. “It would have been a beautiful return for what he represents but it will not happen.
“And anyway his arrival would not have influenced the growth of Cutrone, who is now 20 years old. Besides Ibra, surely we will do something.”
