Manchester United are firming up their interest in Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee as they look to sign a striker to provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund next season, according to reports.
Hojlund scored ten goals in his maiden Premier League campaign last season but, at just 21 years old, would likely benefit from a teammate to help relieve the goalscoring burden up front.
United’s need for another striker this window has also been exacerbated by the departure of Anthony Martial who left Old Trafford on a free following nine years at the club.
Zirkzee impressed at Bologna last season, scoring 11 goals in Serie A to help the club secure a fifth-place finish and qualification for the Champions League next term.
The 23-year-old, who received a late call-up to the Dutch Euro 2024 squad, is available for €40 million (£34m) this summer due to a release clause in his deal with the Italian side.
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Earlier in the month, reports suggested that Zirkzee was on the club’s three-man shortlist for a potential new striker, along with Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Lille’s Jonathan David.
However, according to The Athletic, it is United’s interest in Zirkzee that is now thought to be the firmest, with INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe keen to swoop in ahead of AC Milan to secure the Dutch striker’s signature.
Speaking at the end of last season, Zirkzee refused to rule out the possibility of a big summer move after his breakout season in Serie A.
‘I want to recover from the injury and have some nice holidays in the United States with my childhood friends and then we’ll see what happens,’ he told Corriere Di Bologna.
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‘I would choose the best for the club. I will only do what makes sense in my heart.’
Elsewhere this summer, United are looking to bring in defensive reinforcements following the departure of Raphael Varane.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is one of the leading candidates on United’s shortlist but their opening offer of £45m has been rejected this week.
The club are said to have already agreed personal terms with the centre-back although Everton are holding out for a fee in excess of £70m for the 21-year-old.
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