Joshua Zirkzee: Bologna director confirms Man United target is “99% gonna leave the club” | OneFootball

Bologna sporting director Giovanni Sartori has insisted that reported Manchester United Joshua Zirkzee is guaranteed to secure a transfer this summer.

United are eager to reinforce their attacking department and are believed to want a top-class number nine to compete with Rasmus Hojlund for a starting berth. This is where Zirkzee comes in.

The Dutchman enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 campaign, scoring 11 Serie A goals for Bologna as they secured a place in next season’s Champions League. His fantastic form drew the attention of several top clubs including United, Chelsea, Arsenal and AC Milan.

For weeks, Milan were thought to be firm favourites to land Zirkzee with the player himself agreeing to join them. However, a dispute over agent fees between the Italian giants and the talisman’s representative rendered a move almost impossible.

It has since been mentioned that Milan have moved on and are now focused on other alternatives, leaving the door wide open for United to swoop in for Zirkzee.

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Erik ten Hag has held talks with Zirkzee to explain to him what role he’d play in the United squad.

It’s important to note that the 23-year-old has a release clause worth around £40 million, which became active today and will run until mid-August.

United are prepared to trigger this clause and make Zirkzee the latest addition to the ranks at Old Trafford.

According to Sartori himself, Zirkzee will almost certainly part ways with Bologna in the coming weeks.

Sartori said (via Fabrizio Romano), “Joshua Zirkzee has release clause into his contract and I believe he’s 99% gonna leave the club.”

Now that United have confirmed the appointment of Dan Ashworth as the club’s sporting director, it’s likely that the 20-time English champions will accelerate efforts to recruit their top targets such as Zirkzee.

Alongside Zirkzee, other strikers that Ten Hag’s side have been linked to include Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon), Jonathan David (Lille) and Ivan Toney (Brentford).

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