AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has admitted that he’s interested in Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but it appears that such a deal would be unlikely.

The Swedish hit-man left Inter Milan for Barcelona in a blockbuster cash plus Samuel Eto’o deal last summer, and he had a decent first season at the Nou Camp, scoring 21 goals and assisting on nine more in 44 appearances in all competitions, including 16 in 29 La Liga appearances (23 starts).

However, Barcelona spent €40m euros this summer to land David Villa from Valencia, and Ibrahimovic’s future with the reigning Spanish champions has been a topic of speculation all summer, with the 28-year-old being linked with Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, and AC Milan at various points.

A return to the San Siro, albeit with the rivals of his former club, has been bandied about as of late, and Rossoneri boss Allegri confirmed today that he’s interested in Ibrahimovic, all the while attempting to play down a potential move. He said, “Ibrahimovic has always been a winner, he’s shown that and he’s (still) showing that it would be important to have him in our squad, but I (only) talk about Milan players.”

“Right now there’s no sense in talking about Ibrahimovic’s arrival, I prefer sure things, we’ll talk about him if and when he arrives.”

However, comments by club official Ariedo Braida indicate that a move for Ibrahimovic could be out of the question due to price, as he stated, “”If he’s given to us as a present we’ll take him, I like great players.”