- 12 hours ago
Joshua Zirkzee update: EPL giants ‘CLOSE to signing' Bologna ace
Carlo Garganese
- 19 Jun 2024 13:45 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United are close to signing Bologna ace Joshua Zirkzee, according to Football Insider.
Man Utd have hijacked AC Milan’s move for the Dutch striker in recent days, David Ornstein reporting on Tuesday that their interest is in an “advanced” position, with the Old Trafford outfit already speaking to the representatives of the 23-year-old.
FootballInsider have now taken this further and report that a transfer is now close to being completed.
READ MORE: What is the 'Man Utd tax'? BONKERS Branthwaite price and more overpriced transfer fees
United are ready to activate Zirkzee’s €40 million release clause, and will hold further talks on Wednesday where the final touches on the deal could be applied.
STATS
Joshua Zirkzee
F (CRL)
Bologna
Joshua Zirkzee
F (CRL)
Bologna
Zirkzee had been expected to join Milan after the Italian giants agreed personal terms with the striker and agreed to pay the €40 million release clause in his contract.
However, the transfer has been held up by the commission being demanded by Zirkzee’s agent Kia Joorabchian.
Joorabchian is demanding a barely believable €15m in order to complete Zirkzee’s transfer to Milan.
Out of principle, Milan are refusing to pay such a high amount and have been trying to get that price down.
So far they have been unsuccessful, which has allowed other clubs such as Arsenal and now Man Utd to reenter the race for Zirkzee.
READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals
FootballInsider now reports that Man Utd are closing in on a successful hijack.
United have made the signing of a top attacker one of their priorities for the summer transfer window.
Zirkzee in 2023-24
Zirkzee led Bologna to a shock qualification into next season’s Champions League.
Likened to Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he delivered 12 goals and seven assists in all competitions as Bologna finished fifth in Serie A.
He was the key man for a Bologna team who performed well above their weight under Thiago Motta to qualify for the Champions League.
Standing at 6ft 4in, Zirkzee is a giant of a striker who is expert at holding up the ball and bringing others into play.
He is strong at protecting the ball with his back to play, but he is also excellent technically, boasting quick feet and able to move out of tight spaces.
Zirkzee was called up to Netherlands’ Euro 2024 squad after injuries to Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners last week.
