Erik ten Hag 'talks to Joshua Zirkzee' as Man Utd look to win transfer race

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly spoken directly to Joshua Zirkzee as the Old Trafford club try to persuade the Bologna striker to sign join in see.

The former Bayern Munich talent has made a comeback in the last 12 months, having been a key part of the Bologna side that recently finished fifth in Serie A to secure a place in the Champions League after a 50-year absence from the top table. European competition.

Zirkzee has been heavily linked with United for a few weeks as well Sky Sport GermanyFlorian Plettenberg described the “personal meeting” that has now taken place between Ten Hag and members of the player's camp. The United manager is said to have held talks with Zirkzee, although it was not thought they would face each other as he is currently in the Netherlands for Euro 2024.

The Premier League side appear to be willing to activate the €40 million (£34m) release clause in Zirkzee's contract with Bologna which will bypass his club and leave the decision to the player alone.

However, AC Milan are also in the hunt, which would mean staying in northern Italy, leaving Zirkzee to choose which side he wants to join. With the focus on Euro 2024, that won't happen until the Netherlands are out of the competition – they face Romania on Tuesday night.

Zirkzee was polished by Bayern's youth team after joining at the age of 16, and went on to score four goals in his first nine Bundesliga appearances in 2019/20. He later had a season on loan at Anderlecht, netting 16 times in 38 league games at the age of 20, before Bayern agreed a permanent move to Bologna in 2022 but retained a reported £40 sell-on clause. %.

Having just turned 23, the striker was unsuccessful for Bologna, scoring 11 times in Serie A last season. But despite fitting the physical frame of a 'number nine', Zirkzee is notable for his speed in wide channels and ability to get deep into the big playmaking role. A recent feature compared Harry Kane and Ronaldinho.

United, who offloaded Anthony Martial last month, were thought to be looking for an experienced senior striker to support Rasmus Hojlund's continued development. But Zirkzee, despite being similar in age and untapped strength, can help the Dane in different ways.

Another pressing need for Ten Hag and United this summer is a defender after they decided not to exercise the extension option on Raphael Varane's contract and release him. Jonny Evans has played more games than expected in 2023/24 as an emergency signing, while Victor Lindelof has entered the final year of his current contract after a 12-month option was triggered in January.

Matthijs de Ligt has re-emerged as a plausible option after Bayern Munich put a hefty price tag on the 24-year-old Dutchman, who was formerly of Ajax and Juventus.

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