July 8th 2024.
According to reports coming out of Italy, Joshua Zirkzee is on the verge of joining Manchester United. The Premier League club has informed Bologna that they are willing to pay the €40 million release clause for the 23-year-old striker. This comes after United's decision to retain Erik ten Hag as their manager, with the focus now shifting towards signing a new striker and at least one center-back before the upcoming Premier League season.
Zirkzee, who impressed with 11 goals in Serie A last season, was a top target for United. However, they faced competition from AC Milan, who had reached an initial agreement with the player. The deal was halted, though, as Milan refused to pay an additional €15 million in commission to Zirkzee's representative Kia Joorabchian. This delay proved to be a blessing in disguise for United, as they were able to swoop in and make their move. After direct talks between Zirkzee and ten Hag, personal terms have been agreed upon.
The initial dilemma for United was whether to pay the full €40 million release clause or negotiate a separate deal with Bologna, which would involve a smaller upfront fee with add-ons. However, it has now been confirmed that United will be triggering Zirkzee's release clause in full. Sky Sports Italy reports that United have officially notified Bologna of their decision. In addition, they have also agreed to pay the previously disputed €15 million commission fees that had held up the deal with AC Milan last month.
Zirkzee's former club Bayern Munich will also benefit greatly from this move. As part of the deal that saw the Dutch striker join Bologna from the Bundesliga club in 2022, Bayern included a 45% sell-on clause. Therefore, they will receive a significant sum from United's €40 million outlay. Currently, Zirkzee is with the Netherlands squad, preparing for their Euro 2024 semi-final against England on Wednesday.
The young striker, who was a late addition to the Dutch squad in June, made his senior international debut in their 2-1 victory over Turkey in the Euro 2024 quarter-final. When asked about his future after the game, Zirkzee remained uncertain about his plans. He stated, "I don't know, let's see." When pressed further about the chances of him staying in Italy, he replied, "Let's see." This has only added to the speculation surrounding his potential move to United.
Fans of the Red Devils are eagerly awaiting the official announcement of Zirkzee's arrival, with the excitement amplified by his impressive performances for Bologna and the Netherlands. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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