It’s ever so convenient for Kia Joorabchian that when he’s hit a wall with AC Milan over Joshua Zirkzee, Manchester United show up with a serious intent to sign the Bologna player.
Over the past week, the Italian media have been making it clear that the Rossoneri are very keen but they’re finding it hard agreeing commission with Joorabchian.
You see, Zirkzee has a €40m exit clause in his Bologna contract, and that’s perhaps around €15-20m less than what he could be worth on the open market.
Rather than just letting the deal go through at a good price, Gazzetta dello Sport say Joorabchian is demanding €15m in commission.
For AC Milan, that means Zirkzee is no longer such a good deal. He goes from costing €40m to actually costing €55m, and suddenly becomes less attractive.
Gazzetta state Milan’s stance is: ‘We will not pay €15m in commissions either now or in the future.’
And just like that, Manchester United appear. Gazzetta calm the Red Devils claims and say whilst there’s interest, there’s been no offers and United ‘do not appear ready to pay €40m’.
One would assume that if they’re not ready to pay the €40m then they’d absolutely reject the €15m commission request.
Given what we’re all told, this is a new Manchester United after all, and paying almost 40% commission to an agent doesn’t quite fit with that brave new world.
AC Milan aren’t out of the picture, and it’s even suggested Zirkzee could stay at Bologna for a further season. If that happened, Gazzetta believe he could renew with a new clause at around €45-50m.
That, however, may not be good for Kia Joorabchian.
One to keep an eye on, if only to see the agent games which may well be at play.
