One can only wonder what Kobbie Mainoo said at full-time when he was spotted shaking hands and greeting the Manchester United transfer target.
‘See you at Old Trafford‘, maybe?
Kobbie Mainoo went head-to-head with the £34 million man as England secured their place in a second successive European Championship final on Wednesday night, another masterclass of a performance from a 19-year-old who continues to overshadow his far more experienced team-mates.
The next time Mainoo takes to a pitch alongside Joshua Zirkzee, they will probably be wearing the same colours.
The Netherlands Euro 2024 exit should serve to speed up a deal that makes Zirkzee the first signing of the Ineos era at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have, after all, successfully fought off competition from Italian giants AC Milan for the one-time Bayern Munich prospect who made his name at Bologna.
The sight of Zirkzee posing for photos with a red and white scarf around his neck may be only 24 hours or so away.
Joshua Zirkzee set for Manchester United medical
TalkSPORT report that personal terms have been agreed. Zirkzee will sign a five-year contract in England’s North West with Man United stumping up £34 million.
The report adds that the mercurial 23-year-old will arrive in the country in order to undergo medical tests and put pen to paper ahead of his official unveiling.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein believes that Zirkzee could touch down as early as Thursday night before a medical on Friday.
Alongside the aforementioned Mainoo, Zirkzee’s arrival will bring to Erik ten Hag’s squad another young, improving and supremely-technical footballer who has barely scratched the surface of his ultimate potential.
Zirkzee was the man who led the line last season for a Bologna side who secured Champions League football for the very first time. And while his goals’ tally may need some work – only 12 across 2023/24 – the 6ft 4ins centre-forward could be the key which unlocks Man United’s frontline.
Marcus Rashford struggled badly throughout the season, while Rasmus Hojlund is yet to really develop a consistent relationship with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes.
Zirkzee, a very different sort of striker to the old-school, barnstorming Hojlund, could potentially fill an Antony Martial sort of role; dropping deep, linking the play, and allowing Rashford and co to run in behind.
Zirkzee has been likened to Dimitar Berbatov by some. A former Parma team-mate even labelled him ‘much more technical‘ than the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
United moving fast in the transfer market
If Zirkzee is set to become Man United’s first signing since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took control, then Matthijs de Ligt surely won’t be far behind. The forward’s fellow Dutchman is expected to join for around £43 million.
Manuel Ugarte could be signing number three. According to French publication Le10 Sport, Man United submitted a £38 million bid for the Paris Saint-Germain battle-axe this week, with things expected to move quickly after Uruguay’s Copa America challenge came to an end.
The Red Devils also continue to be linked with Zirkzee’s Bologna team-mate Dan Ndoye.
A versatile and extremely direct footballer who can play on either flank, Zirkzee impressed for Switzerland at Euro 2024 and has already turned out for two Ineos-owned clubs in Nice and Laussane Sport.
“Well, that’s kind of obvious,” agent Fahd Adamson told Blick when asked about a potential switch to Old trafford. “United belongs to Ineos and Dan has already played for the other Ineos clubs, Nice and Lausanne.
“Let’s see what comes of it.
“We need to discuss this with Dan and his family. It needs to be carefully considered to avoid making a wrong career move.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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