BREAKING NEWS: Coming from Old Trafford, Manchester United gets the unexpected done as club prepares to welcome Anthony martial replacement. According to reports, Manchester United have reportedly triggered the €40m (£33.8m) release clause in the contract of one of their principal attacking targets Joshua zirkzee and deal could be announced in coming days as the Dutchmen is very interested in joining Manchester United. Man United triggers striker’s £33.8m release clause.
Manchester United have reportedly decided to trigger the €40m (£33.8m) release clause in the contract of one of their primary attacking targets. Despite signing Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta BC last year, a new striker remains a top priority for Erik ten Hag’s plans for the 2024-25 season. Hojlund scored a commendable 16 goals in his debut season at Man United, including 10 in the Premier League. However, with Anthony Martial expected to leave as a free agent, the club will need additional firepower up front.
Man United’s search for attacking reinforcements has led them back to Serie A, specifically to Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee. The former Bayern Munich player, who struggled to make an impact at the Allianz Arena, joined Bologna for a little over £7m in 2022. Last season, Zirkzee contributed directly to 19 goals in 37 matches under the guidance of Thiago Motta.
Zirkzee’s impressive tally of 11 goals and five assists in 34 Serie A matches helped Bologna secure a surprising fifth-place finish and Champions League qualification. However, with Motta now heading to Juventus, Bologna risks losing some of their key players, including the highly sought-after Zirkzee. The 23-year-old, currently with the Netherlands at Euro 2024, has drawn interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, and AC Milan. Despite Milan’s optimism about keeping him in Serie A, Manchester United are reportedly ready to trigger his €40m release clause following discussions with his representatives.
According to The Telegraph, Zirkzee has become a “serious” target for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Erik ten Hag over the past few weeks. However, there are still a few hurdles to clear before he can officially join Manchester United, including finalizing personal terms. While AC Milan appears to have made progress in this area, Manchester United could potentially offer a more lucrative financial package.
From a business perspective, a £33.8m deal for Zirkzee would be a smart move for Manchester United, especially given their starting transfer budget of £50m before player sales. Standing at 6ft 4in, Zirkzee would add a formidable physical presence to United’s attack and has demonstrated a sharp finishing ability in Serie A. However, as Hojlund’s experience has shown, adapting to the Premier League can be challenging.
Although Zirkzee is slightly older than Hojlund at 23, he is still relatively inexperienced, and Manchester United may still need a seasoned goalscorer. The potential partnership of Hojlund and Zirkzee could be devastating in the future, but should Zirkzee arrive, it would underscore the importance of retaining the experienced Bruno Fernandes to provide leadership and creativity.
