Man Utd finalise payment structure to seal Joshua Zirkzee transfer
- Man Utd reach agreement with Bologna over Joshua Zirkzee
- Red Devils will not trigger £34m release clause
- Transfer fee to be paid across three years
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna without triggering his release clause, reports have claimed.
90min first revealed back in January that amid the Red Devils' search for a new striker, they had earmarked Zirkzee as an option for the summer transfer window.
By the end of the season, the 23-year-old had contributed 11 goals towards Bologna's successful quest to qualify for the Champions League, while he was a late call-up to the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024.
United stepped up their interest in Zirkzee early in the transfer window, rivalling AC Milan for his signature. The Rossoneri backed away from a deal due to disagreements over personal terms and agent commissions, leaving a clear pathway for United.
Fabrizio Romano has now reported that Zirkzee will become the first signing of the INEOS era at United after they reached an agreement with Bologna. Instead of triggering his £34m release clause, United will instead pay a little extra but across three years worth of instalments instead.
Zirkzee is set to sign a five-year contract with the option for a further year, and will provide needed depth up front for Erik ten Hag. Rasmus Hojlund is currently the only senior and natural striker in United's ranks after Anthony Martial's contract expired at the end of June.
Other reports claim that part of the appeal behind signing Zirkzee, who has been hailed for his link-up play, is the possibility of playing together in the same team as Hojlund. The Dane, who is two years younger than Zirkzee, also made the move from Serie A to United last summer, though for a more expensive deal that could eventually be worth £72m if all add-ons are met.
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