MILAN — Juventus coach Antonio Conte has spoken to Zlatan Ibrahimovic about a possible return to the club, an Italian newspaper report claimed Saturday. Ibrahimovic's 26 goals in 28 Ligue 1 games for Paris Saint-Germain have put the French capital club within sight of a first title since 1994. However, recent speculation suggests the Swedish international striker is keen on a quick return to Italy, where he has previously played for Juventus (2004-2006), Inter (2006-2009) and AC Milan (2010-2012). A report in Gazzetta dello Sport in midweek claimed Ibrahimovic and his wife had been house-hunting in Milan. And on Saturday Gazzetta claimed Juventus coach Conte had personally contacted Ibrahimovic to express his admiration for the player. The report added, however, that Juventus would only be prepared to pay PSG 10 million euros ($13m) for Ibrahimovic, who would be paid 7.5m euros annually plus bonuses. In France, the daily Le Parisien reported that the striker will reconsider his future at the Parc des Princes if coach Carlo Ancelotti leaves the club this summer. "Zlatan should still be in Paris next season but a transfer is possible if the situation at PSG changes, which means if there is a change of coach or if the owners' project for the club evolves" his agent Mino Raiola was quoted as saying. PSG bought Ibrahimovic for a reported 21 million euros from AC Milan last summer. Despite lacking a centre forward with a killer eye for goal this season, Juventus has been Serie A's strongest side and require seven points from its next six league games to secure its second consecutive Scudetto under Conte. Juve had hoped to sign a leading striker for their Champions League campaign earlier this season. But after losing out on Didier Drogba, who signed for Galatasaray, Juve agreed terms with Athletic Bilbao and Spain striker Fernando Llorente, who will sign a four-year deal with Juve on July 1 when his Athletic deal ends. Meanwhile, Marseille kept its slim title hopes alive by defeating Brest 1-0 Saturday to pull within six points of leader Paris Saint-Germain in the French league. — Agencies
