Ibra certainly did not want to leave Milan. He was sold to balance the books – Galliani

AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has siad that the ex-LA Galaxy man Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not have the intention to depart the club when he was sold in 2012, conceding that the striker departed in order to “balance the books”.

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The Swedish best player is back to the Seria A side AC Milan after agreeing to rejoin the club on Friday signing a short-term deal until the end of the campaign. The 38-year-old will move as a free agent following the expiry of his contract at MLS side LA Galaxy.

The former Manchester United striker scored 56 goals in 85 appearances for the Rossoneri between 2010 and 2012.

He helped the club lift the Italian Super Cup and Serie A glory in his first season at San Siro but left for Paris Saint-Germain the following summer after they finished trophy-less during the 2011-12 campaign.

Galliani says that failure to retain the title proved crucial, with the club then forced to move Ibrahimovic on at the end of the season.

“Ibra certainly did not want to leave Milan. He was sold to balance the books,” Galliani told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He has always been the one to decide his destiny, except on that occasion. Together we won the Scudetto his first year, the last for Milan before Juventus started their record-breaking run, and the Supercoppa Italiana in 2011.

“In January 2012, it was all done for Alexandre Pato to join PSG and we’d bring Carlos Tevez in from Manchester City. What a dream pairing, Ibra-Tevez!

“The whole deal fell apart and who knows what could’ve happened? I think we would’ve continued winning, as at that time we were still in front of Juve. History changed, Milan finished second and in the summer of 2012, the old guard moved on.”

Adriano Galliani said that Ibrahimovic felt bad at being forced to depart the club but admits their personal relationship has since been maintained, paving the way for his return.

“He wasn’t talking to me for a while,” Galliani added. “Once he got over the disappointment of having to leave Milan, he gave an interview in which he spoke highly of me and our relationship.”

AC Milan currently sit 11th in the EPL table, following their 5-0 defeat to Atlanta on Sunday at Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, and they preparing to host Sampdoria next, meanwhile the visitors sit 11th in the table, closer to the relagation zone.