Joshua Zirkzee has hinted that he could join MU this summer after the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Türkiye at Euro 2024.

MU is pushing to sign the Bologna striker before the new season starts. AC Milan also had negotiations to sign the 23-year-old player, they even reached an agreement with the Dutch striker.

However, AC Milan decided to give up pursuing Joshua Zirkzee, refusing to pay an additional 15 million euros (£12.6 million) in commission to this player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian. That has allowed MU to make their move, the Red Devils are ready to activate the contract release clause worth 40 million euros (£33.7 million) in Zirkzee’s contract with Bologna, valid until August.

 

Newspapers in Italy also reported earlier this week that MU coach Erik ten Hag spoke directly with Zirkzee and convinced him about moving to Old Trafford. Zirkzee made his debut for the Netherlands in the 2-1 win over Türkiye in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, speaking after the match that the striker could not guarantee that he would continue to stay in Serie A.

When asked if he would continue to play in Italy next season, Zirkzee told Sportitalia: “I don’t know, let’s see.” When asked if there was a 50% chance he would stay, Zirkzee replied: “Let’s see.”

 

Speaking earlier this week, Bologna’s technical director, Giovanni Sartori, confirmed that the club were already looking for a replacement for the Dutch striker. Sartori told Sky Sport Italia: “Zirkzee has a clause so 99.9% he will leave. We have been thinking about his replacement for many months. It won’t be easy but we will work hard to replace him, we’ve got some names and some ideas.’

 

Zirkzee joined Bologna for £7m (€8.5m) from Bayern Munich in August 2022 and scored 11 goals in Serie A last season.