Joshua Zirkzee ‘SIGNS for Man Utd for more than £34m release clause as Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes first transfer’
MANCHESTER UNITED have landed Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee – after reportedly bidding ABOVE his £34million release clause.
The Netherlands’ Euro 2024 star is the first signing of United‘s INEO era – on a five-year contract with the option for a further 12 months.
The former Bayern Munich fringe player, 23, was also linked to Arsenal and AC Milan earlier in the summer.
But Zirkzee agreed personal terms with United days ago before now penning a lucrative deal.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reckons the Red Devils offered slightly more than a release clause of 40million euros – in other words, above £34m.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s new United regime are now tipped to push for the completion of Matthijs de Ligt‘s switch from Bayern.
Zirkzee‘s international team-mate De Ligt has also had little time to get over Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss to England in the Euros semi-finals.
The former Ajax and Juventus centre-back, 24, is expected to hold talks with Bayern imminently on his future.
However, it’s understood the German giants are looking for the Red Devils to make the next step.
Meanwhile, Zirkzee arrives at Old Trafford to become competition – not a replacement – for Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund.
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The 6ft 4in ace notched 11 goals and four assists for Bologna in 34 Serie A games last term.
Zirkzee was stoppage-time sub as the Dutch tried in vain to counter a 90th-minute winner from England skipper Harry Kane’s replacement Ollie Watkins.
In contrast, De Light remained on the bench throughout.
United have also been tipped to weigh up a shock approach for Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell.
But the Red Devils’ first-choice left-back Luke Shaw edged nearer full sharpness with a useful 45 minutes as an England sub against the Netherlands.
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