It’s quite a bold move to label anyone the ‘signing of the summer’ already.
It’s not even mid-July yet, after all, and a lot can change between now and the end of August. But still, the excitement surrounding the imminent arrival of a £34 million rising star at Manchester United tells it’s own story.
Joshua Zirkzee might not be the finished article though United are not signing the player he is today. But, rather, the player he could become.
Comparisons with Dimitar Berbatov, Robin van Persie and even Zlatan Ibrahimovic certainly do not downplay the Dutchman’s potential.
One of the most technically-gifted young centre-forwards on the planet, Zirkzee will arguably give Man United something they haven’t had since an injury-free Anthony Martial was dovetailing beautifully with Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in those lockdown days.
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Manchester United to win Joshua Zirkzee race
The Red Devils appear to have successfully fought off interest from AC Milan in the Bologna frontman.
And United’s gain, then, is the Rossoneri’s loss.
Alessandro Moggi, an agent and the son of former Juventus chief Luciano, believes Zirkzee would have been the standout Serie A signing of 2024 had Milan got their man.
“I think we are still waiting for the big move,” Moggi tells Tuttomercatoweb. “I think Juve, by taking Douglas Luiz (from Aston Villa), have acquired a very important player.
“(But) if Zirkzee’s transfer to Milan had gone through, that would have been the best move.”
Zirkzee, alongside fellow Dutch international Matthijs de Ligt, is expected to formalise his move to Old Trafford once the Netherlands bring an end to their Euro 2024 campaign.
Ronald Koeman’s side face England in Wednesday’s semi-final, the Oranje battling Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw for a place against France or Spain in the tournament decider.
Fabrizio Romano, explaining the situation on YouTube, believes that Zirkzee is now just ‘one step away’ from being the first signing of the Ineos era at Manchester United.
£34 million deal imminent for Bologna star
“Manchester United are getting everything ready to make the deal work. And now we can say that Joshua Zirkzee is really one step away from becoming a new Manchester United player,” Romano says.
“It’s expected to happen. It’s expected to take place in the next days because Manchester United have an agreement with Joshua Zirkzee; contract length, salary, all the details of the contract.
“They have the green light of the player.”
Romano also insists that United have struck a deal with Zirkzee’s agent, relations between Milan and Kia Joorabchian scuppering the Rossoneri’s hopes.
“For Zirkzee, there is also the agreement of the commission for the agent of the player, Kia Joorabchian, who has an excellent relationship with the Manchester United board,” adds Romano.
“So they agreed on terms with the player side, now Manchester United are prepared to inform Bologna about their intention to pay the 40 million euro (release clause) and then Joshua Zirkzee will become a new Manchester United in the next days.
“Manchester United are going very quick, very fast on this deal for Joshua Zirkzee. We know that Milan agreed on terms with Zirkzee one month ago but the problem has always been the commission for the agent of the player.
“Milan decided not to pay that money and now, Joshua Zirkzee is on the verge of becoming a new Manchester United player.”
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