Manchester United appear to be closing in on a first summer signing as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his striking options.
Anthony Martial has now left Manchester United with his contract expiring this summer.
The Frenchman didn’t feature at all in the second half of the season and that showed one thing – United need more attacking options.
Rasmus Hojlund has shown potential in his first United season but he can’t take on the attacking burden on his own.
The time has come for United to invest in another striker – just a year since splashing the cash on luring Hojlund from Atalanta.
Ironically, United now look set to return to the Italian market once again with another Serie A striker wanted at Old Trafford.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Manchester United target Joshua Zirkzee
Reports in recent days have suggested that United are now closing in on the signing of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
United have allegedly communicated to Bologna that Zirkzee’s £34million release clause will now be activated with the striker preferring a move to Old Trafford over Arsenal.
Fabrizio Romano adds that Zirkzee is ‘one step away’ from signing for United whilst the Dutch press believe that the deal will be rubber-stamped once the Netherlands are knocked out of Euro 2024.
Romano’s report noted that AC Milan agreed terms for Zirkzee last month, but just wouldn’t agree to pay the necessary agent fee to Kia Joorabchian.
Milan now appear to be lagging well behind United in the race for Zirkzee – and that race is now over according to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The former United striker is now an advisor to the Milan board and has confirmed that Zirkzee will not be heading to the San Siro.
As quoted by Football Italia’s Lorenzo Bettoni, Ibrahimovic has stated that Zirkzee is ‘the past’ and that Milan have a mystery target they are now working on instead.
“He’s the past. As Paulo said, we have a player in mind, I won’t say his name. There is somebody, let’s see,” said Ibrahimovic.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Zirkzee profiled ahead of Old Trafford arrival
Zirkzee was a top young talent at Feyenoord before heading to Bayern Munich at the age of just 16.
Four goals in 17 first-team games was not a bad record for Zirkzee but he struggled to make an impact on loan at Parma.
A 2021 loan move to Anderlecht saw Zirkzee smash 18 goals in 47 games, thriving under Vincent Kompany.
Bologna saw potential in Zirkzee and struck a permanent deal in 2022, but the move has taken a while to pay dividends.
Zirkzee managed just two goals in 21 games in his first Bologna season before showing major improvement last term.
The Dutchman bagged 11 goals in Serie A and is now with the Dutch national team at Euro 2024.
United seem convinced that Zirkzee can take another step forward in the Premier League and will hope that he can offer real cover and competition for Hojlund in Ten Hag’s attack.
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