Manchester United are making moves to land Joshua Kirkzee from Bologna and AC Milan chief Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed they will not compete for the Dutchman
AC Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed Joshua Kirkzee is “the past” – clearing the way for Manchester United to sign the striker.
The Bologna man has impressed in Serie A with a host of Europe’s top clubs weighing up a move for the Dutchman. United have been first to act and look set to trigger the player’s £34million release clause with personal terms reportedly agreed.
Milan were also keen and were among the teams who could’ve competed with the Red Devils for Kirkzee. The San Siro outfit have just announced Paulo Fonseca as their new manager and he made their plans clear. He said: “We know which player we want. We are waiting to have him here shortly.”
Ibrahimovic was also asked about Zirkzee, who began his senior career with Bayern Munich, and replied: “He’s the past. As Paulo said, we have a player in mind, I won’t say his name. There is somebody, let’s see.”
Reports from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport claim Ibrahimovic has called Alvaro Morata, to assess whether he would be interested in a deal that takes him to Milan. The Atletico Madrid star is currently away with Spain at the Euros and has shown no appetite to leave Diego Simeone’s side.
He has played in Italy previously, enjoying two separate stints in Italy but claimed he “won’t stop” until he’s won trophies with Atletico.
Fonseca said on Milan’s search for a frontman: “I don’t want to name anyone. As we said, we clearly know who is the player we want. What we know is that we want great quality for this position, which is very important.
“We lost Giroud, so when we change, we change to improve. To us, it’s clear. The striker must give a lot to the team. We know the characteristics and the player we want. I believe he’ll be here shortly.”
United turned to Serie A last summer for a forward as they landed Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for a huge fee. The young Dane needed months before netting his first Premier League goal and has shown promise, but is far from an elite frontman at this stage of his career.
Erik ten Hag wants to see more firepower arrive, hence their pursuit of Zirkzee. The Dutchman is currently at the Euros and his fee in the modern market is seen as relatively modest given the amounts that can be paid for players.
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