According to Metro Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee is set to join Manchester United following discussions with Erik ten Hag.
Zirkzee is available for transfer this summer due to a €40 million release clause in his contract with Bologna. While AC Milan were in talks with the striker last month, a move failed to materialize as the Serie A club refused to pay Zirkzee's agent the additional €15 million in commission he was asking for. United appear to have bypassed this obstacle and have reached an agreement with Zirkzee's agent regarding commission payments.
Bologna's technical director, Giovanni Sartori, has already confirmed that the club is actively looking for a replacement for Zirkzee, stating that the striker's departure is "99.9% certain".
United's interest in Zirkzee is reportedly driven by the need for another striker to provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund, who was the club's top scorer last season.
In other news, United have appointed Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director and are in talks with Bayern Munich over a potential deal for Matthijs de Ligt. De Ligt, who is alongside Zirkzee in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, is open to joining United while Bayern are willing to sell the centre-back, who started just 16 games in the Bundesliga last season. Bayern are holding out for a €50m fee for De Ligt but there is a confidence that an agreement can be reached.
It remains to be seen if Zirkzee will be the first of many signings for United this summer, but one thing is certain - Erik ten Hag is building a team that will not be messing around next season.