Reporter claims Man Utd have tried to sign striker likened to Zlatan

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Manchester United have now held talks to try and sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee during this month’s transfer window.

Whilst we would love to see United sign another striker this month, we didn’t really think it was a genuine possibility.

United spent big money on Rasmus Hojlund in August and Anthony Martial is unlikely to move on this month, preferring to see out the final months of his contract.

That makes the signing of another striker very difficult but United are at least trying to explore a deal for another Serie A talent, months after signing Hojlund, Andre Onana and Sofyan Amrabat.

Manchester United make move for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg now claims that United have made contact to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee during this month’s transfer window.

Plettenberg claims that talks have taken place but Bologna simply won’t let him leave right now.

United are still interested in a summer deal though and there is a ‘high opinion’ of Zirkzee inside Old Trafford.

Plettenberg adds that there is a €40million (£34million) release clause in Zirkzee’s contract which can be activated at the end of the season.

Bologna have already indicated that the release clause is only valid for former club Bayern Munich, so United may yet face some tricky negotiations with the Serie A side.

Zirkzee would still feel like something of a gamble for United

Reports last week indicated that Arsenal are now looking to sign Zirkzee, so United can expect to meet some pretty strong competition in the race for the Dutchman.

Praised for his ‘incredible’ technical ability and even compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Zirkzee is earning big praise and major interest right now.

This does though still feel like a gamble for United given Zirkzee’s lack of consistent productivity at 22.

The 6ft 4in striker has bags of talent but didn’t really cut it at Bayern and struggled on loan at Parma in the 2020-21 season.

16 goals in 38 games at Anderlecht was a decent return, but he scored just twice in 19 Serie A games for Bologna last term.

Zirkzee has already bagged seven goals this season but this seems like another Hojlund-eseque pursuit; goals galore in much lesser leagues but still developing in Italy.

United may think that Zirkzee is worth signing for his huge potential, just like Hojlund.

Zirkzee – a little older than Hojlund – does have exceptional individual ability and isn’t afraid to drop deep and jink his way past defenders, representing a different on-ball threat to Hojlund.

Zirkzee’s ability is clear for all to see but we would be keen to see how he fares in front of goal in the second half of the season before committing to a big-money move.