AC Milan target Alvaro Morata, moving away from Manchester United target Joshua Zirkzee | OneFootball

Manchester United’s hopes of landing Joshua Zirkzee have been boosted as transfer rivals AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Spanish striker Alvaro Morata.

The Red Devils need support in their striking department as 21 year old Rasmus Hojlund was left to do the majority of the heavy lifting last season, despite also having to adapt to life in the English Premier League.

This naturally had mixed results and United have made signing a striker one of their top summer objectives, and despite interest in forwards like Ivan Toney and Jonathan David, Bologna’s Zirkzee has come out as the “top target” for Erik ten Hag’s side.

The Red Devils are reportedly fine with paying the striker’s release clause and personal terms will also not be a problem.

It has been reported in some corners that Zirkzee is now “ready to accept” United’s offer after calls with Erik ten Hag who has assured him over his potential role in the team.

The striker was said to favour a move to Milan but the Italians’ unwillingness to pay Zirkzee’s agent fee has given the upper hand to United in a deal and the Serie A outfit have seemingly begun to look in the direction of Morata.

Spanish outlet Relevo report that “Milan are willing to pay the €15 million of the forward’s termination clause.”

The outlet goes on to report that “Milan need to hire a top striker after Giroud’s departure and have their eyes set on a player who in Italy maintains a high reputation that he earned in both spells at Juventus.”

It has also been reported here that Milan have an interest in bringing in former United striker Romelu Lukaku as they move on to other targets.

Even Tammy Abraham has been linked to a move to the San Siro as the seven time European champions cast their net in search of a new striker.

The fact that Milan are so publicly looking for a different striker option potentially suggests that they have given up hope or at least substantial confidence they can do a deal for Zirkzee.

Both Morata and Zirkzee are currently at the Euro 2024 tournament with their respective national side, so a deal for either player is unlikely to materialise until each player’s involvement is over.

The Bologna forward has been described as a “unicorn” and “unique” profile of striker who would bring something very different from Hojlund to United’s frontline and his possible addition to the team will surely excite fans of the club.

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