Manchester United face a pressing need to strengthen their attacking lineup to provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund. The club’s failure to make any additions during the January transfer window has heightened the urgency for a summer signing. Joshua Zirkzee has emerged as a top target following his impressive performances at Bologna, where he has a release clause valid until early August.

Initially, AC Milan seemed poised to secure Zirkzee after reaching an agreement with the striker. However, negotiations stumbled over an additional €15 million commission demanded by Zirkzee’s agent, Kia Joorabchian. This setback has opened the door for Manchester United to pursue the Dutch striker.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Bologna’s technical director Sartori stated, “Zirkzee has a clause so he will leave 99.9 per cent. We have been thinking about his replacement for months. It won’t be easy but we will work to replace him, we already have some names, some ideas.”

Zirkzee’s impressive form at Bologna has attracted interest from several top clubs. Last season, he scored 12 goals and provided seven assists across all competitions, underscoring his potential as a top-class striker.

Manchester United have identified several potential signings, with Zirkzee and Lille’s Jonathan David topping their list. David, a Canadian forward with one year left on his contract at Lille, represents another strong option to bolster United’s attacking options. With Erik ten Hag preparing for his third season in charge, the pressure is on to assemble a squad capable of challenging for major honors. The departure of Anthony Martial as a free agent has further highlighted the urgent need for a dependable striker.

Joshua Zirkzee

Bologna performance and stats

Manchester United performance and stats