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.
AlamyMan Utd are in talks with Joshua Zirkzee’s agent[/caption]
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 were previously linked with Zirkzee after missing out on Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko who renewed his contract with RB Leipzig.
Zirkzee, 23, 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 him for a while.
But his agent Kia Joorabchian’s demands for a £12.6m commission fee is said to have scuppered Milan’s plans.
It is unclear whether Joorabchian will request the same amount from United if the deal does go ahead.
Meanwhile, Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori has emerged as an option to bolster United’s back-line, although Premier League rivals Liverpool are providing competition for his services.
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