Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be interested in joining Everton once Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment as manager is confirmed.

The 38-year-old striker is available on a free transfer in January and has been examining his options as he seeks to return to Europe after 18 months in the MLS with LA Galaxy.

Everton are in the market for a centre-forward and the attraction for Ibrahimovic is playing for Ancelotti again, after having worked with him at Paris Saint-Germain. The Swede considered a move to Napoli before Ancelotti was sacked earlier this month.

Tottenham Hotspur, managed by another of Ibrahimovic’s former managers, Jose Mourinho, had, briefly, expressed interest in him but his game-time would have been limited while Harry Kane is the first-choice striker. It had been thought that Ibrahimovic was on his way back to AC Milan but the Italian club suggested last weekend that the move was becoming less likely.

Manchester United have already ruled out bringing Ibrahimovic back to Old Trafford where he spent a successful spell under Mourinho before suffering a career-threatening knee injury in April 2017. However he recovered and, despite his age, wants to continue playing.

Whether Ibrahimovic can still cope with the physical demands of the Premier League remains to be seen but it is understood he would like to explore the possibility of a deal with Everton once Ancelotti is confirmed. Everton have been in the market for a striker for some time, it was a priority under previous manager Marco Silva, with Cenk Tosun surplus to requirements and the burden falling on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.