AC Milan new boy Zlatan Ibrahimovic hinted he turned a possible move to Manchester City during the transfer window. City were reported to be interested in signing the Swede after Barcelona made it clear they were willing to offload the forward.
However, Ibrahimovic has revealed he was not interested in a move to City as he does not feel they are ready yet to challenge for major honours unlike Milan.
"City must fight Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal - sides which took years to build," said Ibrahimovic.
"City are still a side for the future. I chose Milan because they are a team that can win prizes now.
"City can wait for the future but I can't."
Ibrahimovic insists he had no choice but to leave Barcelona after falling out of favour with coach Pep Guardiola.
"The problems began in March. I asked for an explanation, but he did not give it to me," added Ibrahimovic.
"I couldn't take it. I had no choice but to find a new place of work and I was lucky to go to a club like Milan.
"I will soon be 29 years old and cannot afford to lose a year sitting on the bench and watching the weather. I saw what happened last season with Thierry Henry."
