On Monday, Corriere di Bologna stated Manchester United have convinced Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee to join them this summer. It was also reported they have agreed to pay the €15m commission requested by his agent Kia Joorabchian, which feels questionable.
Later that day, Bologna director Giovanni Sartori said there’s a 99.9% chance the striker will leave this summer because of his €40m clause.
Tuesday’s edition of Corriere di Bologna claims the 23-year-old’s future will be away from the Serie A side. Manchester United are mentioned and it’s claimed their interest ‘grows stronger every day’.
The Red Devils have appointed Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director, and the report says he can make a decisive effort to try and secure a deal for the Dutchman. This feels more like the newspaper’s assumption than their own information.
Bologna want to sort out the star’s future quickly. They have identified Panathinaikos’ Fotis Ioannidis as the target to replace Zirkzee, and he’s also being courted by Leicester City.
If Manchester United or another club were to wrap up the deal for Zirkzee quickly, the Serie A side can then sign Ioannidis.
Ronald Koeman has included Zirkzee in the Netherlands squad for the Euros. They face Romania in the last 16 later today, and if Oranje were to progress to the quarter-final, it is likely to delay Zirkzee’s exit from Bologna.
It seems like Corriere di Bologna, on behalf of the Italian club, are eager a deal is done soon. Their claim about Manchester United’s interest isn’t new and it feels like Erik ten Hag’s side are not in a rush for the player.
