Fans spot Zirkzee to Man Utd hint as England beat Netherlands at Euro 2024

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 11 Jul 2024 06:52 BST
• 3 min read

Joshua Zirkzee is expected to join Manchester United from Bologna in the days ahead, and many fans of the Red Devils were excited to see the striker’s reaction following the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 semi-final against England.

The Dutch lost the clash 2-1, despite taking the lead through a spectacular Xavi Simons strike, with Zirkzee introduced for literally seconds at the end of the match after Ollie Watkins had struck the Three Lions’ winner.

But there was time enough for the 23-year-old forward to get Man Utd fans excited about his arrival at Old Trafford.

Following the full-time whistle, he embraced Red Devils star Kobbie Mainoo in a manner that led some fans to believe there is already a bond there.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

Current ETV

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Bologna

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Bologna

€20.6M

ETV Range

€15.5M - €25.8M

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’Doubts’ over the deal?

Zirkzee has already agreed terms to sign with Man Utd but there is no agreement between the Red Devils and his club.

United could opt to trigger the player’s €40 million release clause or they could equally negotiate better payment terms with Bologna, which would likely inflate the cost of a deal already made more expensive to the tune of €10m by the commission that Zirkzee’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, will be paid.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

Tuttosport, meanwhile, flags certain “doubts” over the future transfer of the former Bayern Munich forward.

“The fans now expect a striker capable of dragging the team along, a characteristic that is not exactly in the Bologna striker's skillset,” the Turin-based paper states.

“If there is one aspect in which he needs to improve, as he himself admitted, it is his composure in front of goal. A problem that could lead him to be yet another Manchester United flop.”

Indeed, Zirkzee is less a scorer of goals and more a creative conduit for those around him. Nevertheless, he still struck 11 times in Serie A for Bologna and is expected to register at least that number in the Premier League next season for the Old Trafford club.