‘Solution was reached’ – Manchester United secure agreement to sign player after negotiations

Manchester United are edging closer to completing a deal for Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee.

This was initially reported in the English media and now backed up by Corriere di Bologna, a newspaper local to the Serie A side.

They provide a background on the negotiations between the Red Devils and the Italian club, and also the details of the agreement.

The striker has a €40m release clause, but Manchester United are paying a higher fee so they don’t have to activate his clause.

Zirkzee was part of the Netherlands squad who lost to England in the Euros semi-final on Wednesday. A day later, Erik ten Hag’s side ‘intensified negotiations’ with Bologna and a ‘solution was reached’ on Thursday afternoon for the 23-year-old’s transfer.

It’s claimed Manchester United will offer €45m for the player and this will be paid in three instalments. They would have had to pay €40m in one go if they had trigged the clause.

The frontman has agreed a five-year deal, with an option for another year, worth €3.5m per year. Those figures will be after tax. The report adds he will undergo medical tests today before completing a move to Old Trafford.

There’s no mention of the €15m commission to Zirkzee’s agent Kia Joorabchian, but that is no longer the concern of the Bologna media.