'We won't answer!' Man Utd told NOT to call Serie A club over transfer target

James Shearman

• Updated: 28 Dec 2023 21:46 GMT
• 3 min read

Bologna director Marco Di Vaio insists that Manchester United should not bother trying to sign Joshua Zirkzee in January.

Zirkzee has scored seven goals in 16 Serie A starts in the 2023-24 season and is wanted by Erik ten Hag's side to solve their attacking problems.

The likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford and Antony have all struggled this season.

Especially after receiving new investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Red Devils are expected to add another forward player to the squad.

Zirkzee, who has a €40 million release clause, appeared one of the likelier options to make the move to Old Trafford next month.

However, Di Vaio has revealed that the clause only applies to Zirkzee's former club, Bayern Munich, and United should not even attempt to lure him away.

"It’s only valid for Bayern Munich," Di Vaio said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. "In January our top players will not move.

"How many phone calls have we received? None. And we wouldn’t answer anyway."

Mejbri to leave Man Utd

Another reason that Manchester United need to sign a forward-thinking player in January is that Hannibal Mejbri is set to depart on loan, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Tunisian playmaker put in several impressive showings at the start of the season, though his game time has diminished significantly in recent weeks.

Having been linked with an exit in the summer, he has been given the green light to find a loan move in the upcoming transfer window.

Romano also claimed that the 20-year-old will not join up with Tunisia at AFCON in order to seal a deal.

Sevilla, Freiburg and Lyon are among the clubs keenest to take the youngster on loan for the remainder of the campaign.