According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United's pursuit of a striker this summer looks set to culminate with the potential signing of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, marking a significant shift from last year's patient approach in the transfer market.
Zirkzee, who recently earned his debut for the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 campaign, has been a standout performer for Bologna, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists last season. With a release clause of €40 million (£34 million), negotiations are progressing, though agent fees could inflate the total cost to around £46 million.
Michael Statham, a Dutch football expert, highlighted Zirkzee's journey from his early days at Feyenoord through stints at Bayern Munich and Anderlecht, where he honed his skills before flourishing at Bologna. Statham noted Zirkzee's evolution into a versatile forward capable of influencing games not only with goals but also through his adept link-up play and ability to contribute across the pitch.
Reflecting on Zirkzee's potential impact at Manchester United, Statham emphasized his proficiency in dropping deep to link play—a style contrasting with United's current striker Rasmus Hojlund. While Zirkzee could adapt to various roles including a second striker or lone forward, Statham cautioned against positioning him solely as a No.10 due to his strengths lying more in supporting and linking rather than initiating creative play.
With United aiming to finalize the deal for Zirkzee this month, the potential acquisition signals a proactive approach from the club's new leadership in bolstering their attacking options ahead of the upcoming season. As negotiations continue, Zirkzee's versatility and goal-scoring prowess offer promising prospects for United's forward line, potentially fulfilling the longstanding need for a potent goal-getter in their squad.