2
One thing that is as certain as anything can be in football is that Manchester United will sign a new striker this summer.
Already light on numbers last season, with only Rasmus Hojlund and Anthony Martial on the roster, the Frenchman’s departure has left the Red Devils with only the 20 year old as a specialist centre forward.
With the likes of Victor Osimhen being out of United’s financial reach and players such as Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Sesko committing their futures to their current clubs, Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee has emerged as the hot favourite to take up the mantle at Old Trafford.
However, reports have suggested the Dutchman’s preference is to stay in Serie A. He had already agreed personal terms with AC Milan, who were ready to meet his €40 million release clause. However, agent Kia Joorabchian’s €15 million agent fees have, at least until now, proved to be the sticking point for a deal to materialize.
Other reports have claimed Zirkzee is also keen to stay at Bologna, but whilst he has been in Germany representing the Netherlands in Euro 24, Joorabchian has been busy brokering a deal with United.
So against this backdrop, after the Dutch overcame Turkey to progress into the semi-finals – in a match that saw Zirkzee finally get some minutes – he was asked in a post-match interview whether he would be playing in Serie A next season.
“I don’t know, let’s see,” came the reply.
The reporter then asked whether there was a 50:50 chance of him staying in Italy, to which he responded “I don’t know.”
Although obviously non-committal, United fans will see the admission that he may be moving elsewhere as an extremely encouraging sign.
With United reportedly in agreement over agent fees and personal terms and ready to pay the release clause, it seems that all that will be needed is Zirkzee’s “yes” for a deal to be concluded, unless Milan climb down over their dispute with Joorabchian or another club comes knocking on the player’s door at the eleventh hour.
For their part, Milan seem to have turned their attentions to Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, who is available for the same amount as Zirkzee’s agent’s commission.
Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.
