Manchester United transfers: ‘Ibrahimovic-esque’ Joshua Zirkzee becomes first Ratclife era signing | OneFootball

Manchester United made their first signing for the 2024/25 season as Joshua Zirkzee transferred from Bologna.

The 23-year-old Dutch forward has signed a five-year contract with the option to extend for a further 12 months, in a deal worth £36.54m.

Zirkzee’s last contract with Bologna included a €40m (£33.6m) release clause, but the Red Devils agreed on a slightly increased price to pay the fee over three years to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules.

He also beccomes the first signing for the men’s team since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became a co-owner by purchasing a 27.7% stake in the club last December.

Zirkzee, the 2023/24 Serie A Under-23 Player of the Year, stated that it was “a privilege to join such an iconic club” and he feels “ready for this next challenge, to take my career to another level and win more trophies.”

Dan Ashworth, the new sporting director of United, made it known that expanding manager Erik ten Hag’s forward options was a priority while describing Zirkzee as “an outstanding talent who was ready to make an impact for Manchester United”, before adding his “ability and desire to grow into a world-class player means that he will be a great addition to the squad that we are building for the exciting season ahead and beyond”.

Ten Hag saw Anthony Martial leave in June after his contract expired. Rasmus Hojlund, signed for £72m from Atalanta in 2023, scored 16 goals in 43 appearances during his first season at the club. However, the Danish striker lost his starting position by the end of the season as Bruno Fernandes was favoured in a false-nine role during their FA Cup final win against Manchester City in May.

Given the success of this new 4-2-2-2 formula, Ten Hag may very well begin the new season retaining it, allowing the possibility of a Zirkzee-Hojlund axis. This could also open up the possibility of United switching to a back three as a means to improve their defensive record, which proved very damaging last term.

A graduate of Bayern Munich’s academy, Zirkzee joined Bologna in August 2022 following a loan spell at RSC Anderlecht, where he bagged 18 goals and created 13 more across 47 appearances in all competitions.

He also had a short stint at Parma. Last season, he became the youngest Dutchman to score a brace in the Serie A since Patrick Kluivert for Milan in 1998 (21 years and 229 days old). Zirkzee ended the season with 12 goals in 37 appearances, helping Bologna claim a surprise place in the 2024/25 Champions League.

His performances earned him praise from rival coaches, with Torino’s boss declaring that in certain movements, the Dutchman reminds him of Zlatan Ibrahimović.

“It’s a great compliment. It’s not so usual to see a tall centre-forward with good technique,” Zirkzee subsequently told Corriere della Sera. “I don’t want to appear presumptuous, I thank Juric: but yes, I’ll see you again.”

Earning a place in Ronald Koeman’s squad at the 2024 European Championship, Zirkzee only made brief appearances against Turkey and England without making a significant contribution.

When then head coach Thiago Motta was asked if Zirkzee could one day play for a European super club one day, “It depends on him,” was his response. Zirkzee has already played 17 times for Bayern, netting four goals in the process with all of those strikes coming in the Bundesliga. He now has the opportunity to fulfil the promise that was bestowed.