Man Utd in talks with Joshua Zirkzee’s agent and ‘are ready to trigger £34million release clause’ for Bologna striker
MANCHESTER UNITED are allegedly in talks with striker Joshua Zirkzee’s representatives.
The Red Devils are reportedly prepared to meet Bologna’s £34m release clause.
Zirkzee has emerged as United’s primary target as the club seeks to secure the services of a reliable talisman to compete with Rasmus Hojlund.
Zirkzee would also add quality up front and act as a replacement for Anthony Martial.
Arsenal are also interested in Zirkzee as they bid to compete for the Premier League title next season.
Zirkzee has a buyout clause of 40million euros – around £34m.
But it will up to Zirkzee to decide, as AC Milan are also prepared to meet the release clause following his impressive Serie A campaign.
The 6ft 4ins frontman notched 11 goals and four assists in 34 Serie A matches in the domestic season just finished.
His market value is said to be around £50m, so Sir Jim Ratcliffe could land him on a bargain.
United are unlikely to dish out mega money for a new attacker given the £72m fee they agreed with Atalanta for Hojlund last summer.
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Zirkzee ranked among the top 10 players in Serie A last season for goals from open play, chances created from open play and successful dribbles.
He was rewarded with a late call-up to Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad for Euro 2024.
Zirkzee had appeared keen to stay in Italy by joining Milan and the seven-time European Cup winners have been tracking the 23-year-old for a while.
But the £12.6m commission Joorabchian had been demanding for the move is said to have scuppered Milan’s plans.