Manchester United can offer Joshua Zirkzee a welcome gift after a £36m move

Manchester United are getting closer to signing Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

The Reds have reached an agreement with Bologna to sign Zirkzee, who is expected to complete a move to Old Trafford in the coming days. AC Milan were also heavily linked with a move for the Netherlands international, but United beat the Serie A club to Zirkzee’s signature.

Instead of meeting the €40m (£34m) release clause in Zirkzee’s contract, United are instead paying €42.5m (£36m) in a series of payments on three years. As a result, Zirkzee looks set to be United’s first signing of the summer ahead of Erik ten Hag’s third season as manager.

Thanks to United’s summer dealings, the club could offer Zirkzee his dream squad number. The attacker wore shirt no. 9 with Bologna in the last two seasons since leaving Bayern Munich.

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Anthony Martial previously wore the shirt no. 9 for United, first being given the number following his arrival from Monaco in 2015, before temporarily vacating it for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2016 and then Romelu Lukaku, before taking it back in 2019. However, the departure to the Frenchman means the squad number is now vacant and could be given to Zirkzee when he completes his move to Old Trafford.

United are expected to confirm Zirkzee’s squad number shortly after the transfer is announced, whenever that happens. The forward will compete with Rasmus Hojlund for the starting center forward role with the Reds next season.

Zirkzee was recently with the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024 where he only made cameo appearances from the bench during the tournaments. Following Holland’s semi-final defeat to England, Zirkzee will now have a summer break before taking part in United’s pre-season training after the transfer is completed as expected.