Manchester United have received a major boost in their pursuit of Bologna hotshot Joshua Zirkzee this summer.
United are keen on bolstering their strike force this summer after a disappointing season in front of goal.
Anthony Martial’s departure has also left the Red Devils even lighter up front and talkSPORT understands Bologna ace Zirkzee is among the targets being looked at.
There is a release clause in the Dutchman’s contract and Bologna director Giovanni Sartori has admitted: “Joshua Zirkzee has release clause into his contract and I believe he’s 99 per cent gonna leave the club”.
That clause has come into effect as of July 1 and is worth just shy of £34million (€40m).
It comes after a stunning season with Bologna where he helped them reach a Champions League spot in Serie A with the 23-year-old scoring 11 times and assisting four.
But it is his silky dribbling and skills that have caught the eye of many neutrals over the last 12 months.
Zirkzee had come up through the academy at Bayern Munich, first joining them as a 16-year-old from Feyenoord in 2017.
After failing to break into the first-team for the German giants, he signed for Bologna after a fine campaign with Anderlecht where he scored 18 times.
Since then, the former Netherlands Under-21 international has become a key player for the Italian side and under manager Thiago Motta, who has since left the club to coach Juventus.
3
3
Motta’s departure could signal an exodus at Bologna, who finished third last season, with defender Riccardo Calafiori also linked with a move away.
United, meanwhile, are desperate to improve after a disastrous campaign last season in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag has managed to keep his job despite the Red Devils finishing eighth in the league – their lowest-ever finish in the Premier League era.
And going forward, United looked lacklustre – finishing the season with negative goal difference for the first time in 34 years.
Only two players managed double figures in the Premier League – Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund who both scored ten.
As well as Zirkzee, United have been linked with Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite, Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and PSG ace Manuel Ugarte.