Manchester United set to sign Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee

DUTCH COURAGE: Bolgna's Joshua Zirkzee is keen to make the switch to Manchester. Pic: Alessandro Sabattini, Getty Images

Manchester United are closing in on signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna after terms on a five-year deal with the striker and his agent’s commission were agreed. 

The club are deliberating over whether to trigger the the Netherlands international’s €40m release clause or negotiate a higher fee that would allow payments by instalments.

United have £40m-£60m before any sales so payment of Zirkzee’s release clause as a lump sum may hamper their ability regarding other transfers. A decision on the best course of action is being considered by the football department, led by Dan Ashworth, who recently began as the sporting director.

Erik Ten Hag wants Zirkzee, who operates primarily as a centre-forward, to offer competition to Rasmus Højlund. In 178 appearances at No 9 the 23-year-old has scored 79 goals and made 45 assists, with his other senior goal coming as a supporting forward.

Zirkzee, who is 6ft 3in, started his professional career at Bayern Munich and played 17 times for them in three seasons, during which he was loaned to Parma and Anderlecht, before moving to Bologna in August 2022.

Zirkzee made his Netherlands debut in Saturday’s 2-1 Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Turkey as an 87th-minute replacement. He is keen to join United.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will become part of Ten Hag’s coaching staff once the former United striker is granted a visa. He was photographed driving into the club’s Carrington training centre on Monday, the opening day of pre-season for players who have not participated in the European Championships or Copa América. He will not be involved until he gets a visa and is expected to coach the forwards.

Everton have rejected United’s latest offer for Jarrad Branthwaite and maintain they will not sell the England international for a cut-price fee.

NEXT MOVE? Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite celebrates.

United made a second bid of £45m plus £5m in add-ons for the 21-year-old defender on Monday night. That followed last month’s offer of £35m plus £10m in add-ons and was again immediately rejected.

Everton, who have bid £16m for the Hull winger Jaden Philogene, do not want to lose their prized asset, who is under contract until 2027, but value Branthwaite at about £70m. 

Their valuation is based on the central defender’s outstanding form when establishing himself in the Premier League last season but also the £80m United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019, the £77m Manchester City paid for Josko Gvardiol last summer and Chelsea’s willingness to spend £75m on Wesley Fofana in 2022.

Kevin Thelwell, Everton’s director of football, admitted in an open letter to fans in May that players would have to be sold owing to the club’s financial problems. 

However, Everton could raise funds by selling Amadou Onana, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane and Neal Maupay, although no bids have been received for those players.

Everton are one of several clubs to have met Hull’s valuation of Philogene and are hopeful his preference is to join Sean Dyche’s team.

Guardian