Joshua Zirkzee looks set to confirm Manchester United transfer | Football

United have prioritized a move for a new centre-forward to back up Rasmus Hojlund this summer, with Bologna forward Zirkzee even at the top of the club’s wish-list in recent weeks.

The Netherlands international racked up 11 goals and four assists for Bologna in Serie A last season and was part of Ronald Koeman’s side that were knocked out of Euro 2024 by England on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils have had to fend off strong competition from AC Milan for Zirkzee’s signature and widespread reports indicate that a deal worth around £33m is close to being done for the 23-year-old year old.

Milan reached an initial agreement with Zirkzee earlier, but their move collapsed as they were unwilling to pay a further €15m (£12.6m) in fees to Dutch international Kia Joorabchian.

Erik ten Hag is understood to have spoken personally with his compatriot about the proposed move before personal terms were agreed.

United are expected to officially announce Zirkzee’s arrival in the coming days, but many supporters believe the striker has already confirmed his imminent move to the Theater of Dreams.

Rather tellingly, Zirkzee ‘liked’ two separate posts on transfer guru Fabrizio Romano’s Instagram page, the second of which read: ‘HERE WE GO! Man United agree to sign Joshua Zirkzee as first move for INEOS.’

Romano even posted a screenshot of Zirkzee’s owls on his X profile, along with a shaking hands emoji – suggesting it was only a matter of time before United unveiled their summer signing.

Following Holland’s 2-1 win over Turkey at Euro 2024, Zirkzee refused to confirm whether or not he would be a Bologna player at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

Asked if he will still play in Italy next season, Zirkzee told Sportitalia: “I don’t know, let’s see.”

Pressed on whether there was a 50% chance he would stay at Bologna, Zirkzee replied: “Let’s see.”

It comes after Bologna technical director Giovanni Sartori admitted the club were already scouting the market for Zirkzee’s potential successor.

“Zirkzee has a release clause so he will leave 99.9%,” Sartori told Sky Sport Italia.

“We have been thinking about his replacement for months.

“It won’t be easy, but we will work to replace him, we already have some names, some ideas.”

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