July 4th 2024.
According to reports from Italy, Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee is considering the possibility of joining Manchester United. The 23-year-old has had direct discussions with Erik ten Hag, sparking his interest in the Premier League club. With United on the lookout for a new striker this summer to provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund, Zirkzee has become one of their top contenders. However, they have faced tough competition from AC Milan, who are also keen on acquiring the talented player.
Initially, it seemed like AC Milan was leading the race for Zirkzee, as they had already reached an agreement with him last month. But things hit a roadblock when the Italian club refused to pay an additional €15 million in commission to his representative, Kia Joorabchian. This stalemate has now given Manchester United an opportunity to swoop in and make a deal. As per reports from Corriere di Bologna, Zirkzee is now on the verge of signing with Old Trafford, while AC Milan is exploring other options, such as Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku, for their striker position.
The report states that United have managed to come to an agreement on the commission payments, but more importantly, Zirkzee is now convinced about a move to Old Trafford after speaking with Ten Hag about his potential role in the team. The young striker is currently with the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, but that hasn't stopped United from pursuing him.
Bologna's technical director, Giovanni Sartori, has already confirmed that Zirkzee will most likely be leaving the club due to his release clause. They have been working on finding a replacement for him for months now. Sartori said, "It won't be easy, but we will work to replace him. We already have some names and ideas." This news comes after United appointed Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director and are wasting no time in trying to strengthen their squad.
Apart from Zirkzee, United is also in talks with Bayern Munich for a deal to acquire Matthijs de Ligt. The 23-year-old center-back, who is also a part of the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, is open to joining United, and Bayern is willing to let him go after he only started 16 games in the Bundesliga last season. Though Bayern is holding out for a €50 million fee, there is confidence that an agreement can be reached.
United fans can breathe a sigh of relief as they wait for the official announcement of Zirkzee's signing. The club is making moves to strengthen their squad and are determined to bring in top talent. Stay tuned for more updates on Manchester United, including news, exclusives, and analysis. Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
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