As far as the Italian side of the story goes, Joshua Zirkzee was set to join AC Milan from Bologna at the beginning of the summer but the Rossoneri called a halt to the deal when the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, asked for a colossal €15m commission.
The Dutchman had a €40m exit clause in his Bologna contract and Milan saw that as good value. However, they clearly didn’t feel €55m was as good value and likely didn’t want to send a message out that they’re willing to pay such huge commission fees.
In the end, Zirkzee went to Manchester United, who presumably paid more commission than Milan were prepared to.
The 23-year-old hasn’t had a disastrous start, indeed he’s been getting minutes, but the idea of a quick return to Italy has been pushed in the Italian media for the past week or so.
Juventus has been presented as the likeliest destination, largely because their manager Thiago Motta worked with Zirkzee at Bologna last season.
Tuttosport, via Il Bianconero, now report the Turin club could sign the forward in January on one condition only… if Manchester United agree to loan him.
If the Red Devils were to make such a deal available, then Juventus would use the good connections between their sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli and Joorabchian.
The latter would presumably be asked to go easy on the commission requests.
