Is Ibrahimovic The Best-ever Free Transfer?

As Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to break records at Manchester United and vie for the Golden Boot, the question can be asked if he is the best free signing ever in the Premier League.

The 35-year-old arrived under the Bosman ruling from Paris-Saint Germain, when his contract expired in the French capital, and has been nothing short of sensational in the red shirt, with his late leveller against Liverpool last time out further endearing him to the Old Trafford faithful.

So is he the greatest free transfer since 1992? There is, naturally, plenty of competition for that accolade. Other players with genuine world-star status moved under freedom of contract to join the flourishing top flight in England, including Chelsea duo Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli. Both showed their quality with the Blues and scored goals against United.

Jurgen Klinsmann rejoined Tottenham for a second spell and performed well in the twilight of his career, while Sam Allardyce shrewdly picked up Ivan Campo, Fernando Hierro, Youri Djorkaeff and Jay-Jay Okocha at Bolton Wanderers. Kevin Davies also joined the Trotters for nothing from Southampton and provided sterling service to the club.

Michael Ballack must be a contender as, despite being linked with United at the time, he joined Chelsea from Bayern Munich at the age of 29 and was an excellent acquisition for then Blues boss Jose Mourinho. The German star won one Premier League title and three FA Cup winners' medals.

Let's not forget British players either, most notably Sol Campbell, whose stunning move across north London from Tottenham to Arsenal shocked everybody. The England centre-back won two titles and two FA Cups and was a pillar of the 'Invincibles' side that went the entire league season unbeaten in 2003/04. It may have been controversial but there is no doubting the outstanding success of the move.

Gary McAllister was an inspired capture for Liverpool from Coventry City as, despite his veteran status, he ended up playing 55 times for the Merseysiders and was influential in 2000/01 when helping the Anfield club lift five different trophies. He was also Man of the Match in the UEFA Cup final against Alaves. Teddy Sheringham left Old Trafford to rejoin Tottenham in 2001 and continued to show off his unique brand of intelligent centre-forward play.

Two players in particular have proved there was life after Manchester City, with Gareth Barry becoming a marvellous servant to Everton after initially arriving at Goodison Park on loan, before sealing a move on a free. And James Milner, who scored a penalty against United last weekend, has clearly been a fine capture for Liverpool by showing his versatility and experience for the Anfield outfit.

Other recent noteworthy freebies include Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Esteban Cambiasso (Leicester) and Demba Ba (Newcastle), while several goalkeepers deserve a mention, such as Brad Friedel, Mark Schwarzer and even former United legend Peter Schmeichel after he departed Old Trafford. 

Time will tell what Zlatan ends up achieving at Old Trafford and whether he can definitively usurp the likes of Campbell, Gullit and Ballack at the head of this distinguished, albeit subjective, list. One thing that is for certain is he is already looking an inspired acquisition and well on his way to becoming the best free transfer the Premier League has ever seen.