Everton look set to miss out on Bayern Munich striker Joshua Zirkzee, as Parma push to finalise a deal today.
That’s according to Voetbal International journalist Matijn Krabbendam, who says the Italian club are hoping to conclude their negotiations with Bayern Munich for a loan deal with an option to buy today.
That follows reports yesterday that made it clear Parma were leading Everton in the race for the striker, with both clubs believed to have made formal offers for him earlier this week.
VI’s information is somewhat backed up in Italy and Germany, with reports from TuttoMercatoWeb and Sky Sports Germany offering information on the proposed deal.
TMW say that Parma have reached an ‘economic agreement’ with Bayern for Zirkzee, but the negotiations were continuing over the nature of the deal.
The Italians wants the play on loan with an option to buy him, while Bayern would prefer a loan with an obligation to buy.
Sky Germany, meanwhile, back up reports that Parma are leading the race and say they have the ‘best cards’ to complete the deal.
According to their information, they have been ‘serious’ about a deal since Wednesday and have already convinced the youngster of the project.
Importantly, they can guarantee the 19-year-old playing time straight away, which would have been ‘more difficult’ to come by at Everton.
The player is now waiting for a final agreement between Parma and Bayern, with the current deal on the table a loan with a purchase option at €10m. However, this could become a purchase obligation.
If the two clubs can find an agreement on that point soon, which VI suggest they now have, Zirkzee should travel to Italy at the weekend to finalise the move.
All in all, it seems pretty dire for Everton, who, unable to guarantee first-team football, appear to have missed out on this occasion.
