Ben Jacobs has said that Manchester United are the only English side who have held ‘formative talks’ with Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, who is rumoured to be on Tottenham’s radar.
Zirkzee is having a fabulous season in the North of Italy, having scored eight goals and provided four assists across all competitions so far for Thiago Motta’s men this season (Transfermarkt).
A few Premier League sides are now thought to be keeping track of the 22-year-old, with TMW reporting a couple of days ago that Spurs, Aston Villa and Arsenal are ready to battle AC Milan for the striker.
Interestingly, the outlet explained that the Dutch striker had a €40m (£34.2m) release clause in his contract and added that Bayern Munich can re-sign the player at half that price since they also have a 50 per cent sell-on clause on the player.
Man United are tracking Joshua Zirkzee
Jacobs has now said that Zirkzee is also on Man Utd’s radar. In fact, he reveals that Erik Ten Hag’s side are the only Premier League club who have reached out over a deal for the Netherlands Under-21 international.
The journalist also explains that there is some confusion regarding the centre-forward’s aforementioned release clause and whether they are applicable to all clubs.
Jacobs told CaughtOffisde: “In terms of possible signings, there is plenty of interest in Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee. The 22-year-old has seven goals in 15 Serie A games this season. Arsenal and Manchester United are both tracking the Dutch forward with a view to the summer. Tottenham could also enter the race.
“There remains some confusion over Zirkzee’s €40m summer release clause, but Bologna director Marco Di Vaio insists it is ‘only valid for Bayern’. A return to Bayern is unlikely but not impossible. Manchester United are the only Premier League club to date to begin any formative talks.
“Ajax, who considered Zirkzee last summer, also retain interest but will struggle to meet the asking price. There was never full consensus within the club to move for Zirkzee last year but his form now has led to some firmer support within the club.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It seems quite counter-intuitive that Bolgona would have agreed on a modest release clause and a sell-on clause to Bayern at the same time. It could instead simply be a buy-back clause for the Bundesliga giants, which TMW might have misreported.
We will likely find out more information about it over the proceedings months, with several sides now seemingly keen on landing Zirkzee next summer.