Zlatan Ibrahimovic named in Sweden's provisional 35-man squad for 2016 Rio Olympics

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named in Sweden's provisional squad for the 2016 Rio Olympics beginning later this year, with manager Hakan Ericson admitting there is a slight chance that the prolific striker will be part of the final squad. The 34-year-old forward is currently captaining his nation at the 2016 European Championships which is underway in France.

The former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward has been named in the 35-man squad for this summer's games and the coach admits it will be fantastic to have Sweden's talisman in the squad. Ibrahimovic's participation at the Olympics will require him to miss the start of the domestic club season as it runs from 5 – 22 August. The squad is mainly made up of players under the age of 23, but it is permitted to name three players, who are born after 1 January 1993.

"In the initial phase we felt that those playing the Euros can't double up, but I've had a talk with Zlatan," Ericson was quoted as saying on the Sweden Football Association site, as translated by the Guardian.

"It could be a new phase in his career, and Zlatan has said that he is willing to wait until after the Euros [to decide]. I want to keep open the tiniest gap that might exist, because it would be fantastic to bring Zlatan," the Olympic team coach added.

The Swedish striker is coming on the back of a record-breaking season with Paris Saint-Germain, which saw him score 50 goals in 51 games in all competitions to lead them to a league and cup double, but has decided to leave the Ligue 1 club following the expiry of his contract. According to Sky Sports, Ibrahimovic has agreed a one-year deal with Manchester United with a medical booked with the club following the conclusion of Sweden's participation at the Euros.

The striker, however, has remained tight-lipped regarding his future, but admitted that the saga will soon come to an end with an announcement set to be forthcoming.