According to Metro, Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee is poised to make a move to Manchester United following direct discussions with Erik ten Hag, reports from Italy suggest.
Manchester United, seeking to bolster their squad for the upcoming season, particularly in light of Rasmus Hojlund's presence, have prioritized Zirkzee. The Premier League club faced stiff competition from AC Milan for the 23-year-old, who has a €40 million (£33.7m) release clause in his Bologna contract.
According to Corriere di Bologna, Zirkzee is nearing a transfer to Old Trafford, prompting AC Milan to explore alternatives, including Chelsea's Romelu Lukaku.
The report indicates that United have finalized commission payments and, crucially, Zirkzee has been swayed towards United after discussions with Ten Hag about his prospective role.
Earlier this week, Bologna’s technical director, Giovanni Sartori, confirmed Zirkzee's imminent departure, citing the activation of his release clause and the club's ongoing search for a replacement.
"With Zirkzee's release clause, his departure is 99.9% certain," Sartori told Sky Sport Italia. "We've been planning for his replacement for months. It won’t be straightforward, but we're actively working on it with some names and ideas already in mind."
Following the appointment of Dan Ashworth as sporting director, Manchester United are moving swiftly to strengthen Ten Hag’s squad. Negotiations with Bayern Munich for Matthijs de Ligt are also underway, with Bayern holding out for a €50 million (£42m) fee, though optimism exists for a resolution.