Manchester United, under the leadership of manager Erik ten Hag, has been in talks with Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee. The 23-year-old Dutch international has caught the attention of several Premier League clubs as they prepare for the 2024/25 season.
The Manchester club has shown interest in Zirkzee since before the summer transfer window opened. Ten Hag is eager to bring a new number nine into his squad to support Rasmus Hojlund. According to renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Man United have initiated fresh discussions with Zirkzee’s agent about contract terms, salary and commissions.
The club is also internally deliberating on how they want to proceed with this potential deal considering that Joshua Zirkzee has a €40m release clause in his Bologna contract which expires next August. Ten Hag appears particularly interested in securing this player and has reportedly spoken directly with him multiple times over recent weeks. Zirkzee recently completed an impressive season at Serie A which further piqued Man United's interest. However, they are not alone in their pursuit of this promising young talent.
Competition for signing Joshua Zirkzee
Man United faces stiff competition from other clubs vying for Bologna’s star striker. Arsenal is closely monitoring Zirkzee’s situation at Bologna while AC Milan have already made moves during the current transfer window according to Sky Sports.
Despite numerous rumours surrounding the Dutch star’s future, it seems that Man United are most prepared to submit an official proposal once their internal discussions conclude.
Potential impact of signing
Bologna striker could be a significant coup for Manchester United given his youthfulness and relatively low cost compared to other players on their radar. His performance last season was noteworthy - contributing 19 goals across 37 matches - making him an attractive prospect for the club.
However, it remains to be seen if Arsenal will step up their interest as Mikel Arteta continues his search for a new number nine ahead of the upcoming campaign.
While Man United's pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee is far from over, it's clear that this potential signing could significantly bolster their squad and provide much-needed support on the field. The coming weeks will undoubtedly reveal more about where this talented young striker will land.
