Joshua Zirkzee is on the verge of signing for Manchester United.
England did United a favour by knocking the Netherlands out of the European Championship. It means the club can now accelerate their plans in the transfer market.
The Reds are being heavily linked with two Dutch players, including Zirkzee. The second is Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.
This evening we learned that the Zirkzee deal is materialising.
According to The Athletic, Zirkzee will undergo a medical at Manchester United on Friday. He will fly to the UK tonight ahead of his examinations.
United are not exercising Zirkzee’s release clause (€40m) but will instead pay €42.5m and stagger the payments to Bologna over three years. The centre-forward will sign a five-year deal that contains an option for a further 12 months.
Had United triggered the clause they would have had to pay it in full.
It looks like Zirkzee will be the one to push Rasmus Hojlund for a place in the team next season. Healthy competition should be seen as a positive.
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.