On Boxing Day, journalist Eleonora Trotta reported Manchester United are pressing to sign Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.
The striker has scored nine goals and registered four assists from 19 games this season, and his fine form hasn’t gone unnoticed in Italy and abroad.
That’s according to today’s Il Resto del Carlino, who state Manchester United are one of the clubs to have set their sights on the 22-year-old.
It’s claimed top clubs ‘won’t leave’ Zirkzee alone, with his former club, Bayern Munich having the final say on his future.
The Bavarian club sold the Dutchman to the Serie A side in 2022 and Il Resto del Carlino say they have an option to buy him back for €40m.
With Manchester United and other clubs in the picture, the report states Bologna’s priority is to retain the player and also find a backup for him next month.
Over at Calciomercato.it, they claim Erik ten Hag’s side are ‘now above all’ in the chase for the Bologna star.
There have been claims Zirkzee has a €40m release clause but Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio has told Gazzetta dello Sport that it’s only valid for Bayern.
“It only applies to Bayern [of €40m], articulated. For other clubs, the price is free [to negotiate]…” he said.
If Manchester United or another club want to sign him, they’ll have to negotiate a deal with Bologna. That won’t be easy because Di Vaio has hinted the frontman won’t leave in January and also revealed he hasn’t received any calls for him so far.
“Right [top players won’t leave in January]. None. And we wouldn’t answer anyway. Joshua is a nine and a half, yes, but he doesn’t look like anyone: a unique piece,” Di Vaio explained.
