AC Milan enter race to re-sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic as club look to fight off competition from Manchester United

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AC Milan will challenge Manchester United for the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic once the player recovers from his knee injury, according to reports in Italy on Monday.

The Serie A big-spenders have earmarked Ibrahimovic as a potential January arrival given the likelihood that he will be sidelined until the new year, and Italian daily Tuttosport claim the Swede is considering a return.

The 35-year-old played for two seasons at the San Siro, making his loan spell in 2010 permanent the following year, and scored 51 goals in 77 appearances.

Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is being monitored by AC Milan

Tuttosport report that Ibrahimovic is being lined up by Milan upon his return from injury

Ibrahimovic was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £15.7million in 2012, and having won silverware throughout his career, the Swede may be tempted to spearhead the new era at Milan under Chinese ownership.

Tuttosport report that Ibrahimovic's partner, Helena Seger, has retained a strong affinity with Milan, meaning a return to the city in the twilight of his career cannot be ruled out.

Ibrahimovic has turned down the chance to play with LA Galaxy in America's MLS, but the development comes after United manager Jose Mourinho hinted that the star could be set for a return to Old Trafford.

United did not extend Ibrahimovic's deal, worth £367,640 a week, at the end of last season after he suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in April.

The former Sweden international won the Serie A title in the 2010-11 season with Milan

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is tempted to bring Ibrahimovic back to the club

Ibrahimovic, pictured here with his partner Helena Seger, who he has two children with

That will likely keep him out of action until 2018 but, while discussing the merits of signing Romelu Lukaku for an initial £75million, Mourinho suggested the Swede could wear a United shirt again. 

The Portuguese said last week ahead his side's 1-0 defeat by Barcelona in Landover: 'We spent big money on a striker because, with strikers, you either spend or you don't get.

'And we spent because of what happened to Zlatan and we can not allow ourselves to be without an important, strong striker for the first six months of the season.' 

Mino Raiola is the agent of Ibrahimovic and of AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma

Ibrahimovic scored 51 goals in 77 appearances during two seasons at the San Siro

That Ibrahimovic has any chance of playing again was viewed as astonishing by the American-based knee specialist Dr Fu, who hopes to conduct research on his body after retirement. 

Milan have been the most active club in Europe having recruited 10 players at a cost of over £150million during the close season. 

Andre Silva and Leonardo Bonucci were marquee signings, and Ibrahimovic would add extra gloss to what has been a major summer overhaul.

Another facet that could work in Milan's favour for a deal to bring the former Sweden international back to Italy is that his agent, Mino Raiola, was involved in Gianluigi Donnarumma's contract extension this summer.