Manchester United have agreed on a €42m (£35.3m) fee for Bologna’s forward Joshua Zirkzee, marking the first signing of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era as per ESPN. The 23-year-old Dutchman’s arrival is all set to complete, with personal terms and his agent’s fee already settled. Manchester United opted to exceed Zirkzee’s €40m release clause, allowing the club to pay the fee over three years for better financial flexibility as they will be able to navigate their financial dealings under the new strict PSR rules. The forward is set to sign a five-year deal at the club.
Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag aims to introduce Josha Zirkzee as competition for Rasmus Hojlund in the forward line. Standing at 6ft 3in, Zirkzee began his career at Bayern Munich, featuring in 17 games across three seasons and having loan spells at Parma and Anderlecht before moving to Bologna in August 2022. During the last season, he scored 12 goals and provided seven assists, pivotal in Bologna's qualification for the Champions League.
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Zirkzee also made his Netherlands debut in their recent Euro 2024 campaign, featuring as a late substitute in the quarter-final win over Turkey and the semi-final loss to England. His impressive stats, work rate, and key stats are in the top five in Serie A for creating big chances, attempted dribbles, and regaining possession in the final third, underscoring his potential impact at Manchester United. His ability to play at various positions in the front line only adds to his versatility and goal-scoring prowess, making him a promising addition to the United squad.
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