Man Utd set to complete $44m transfer as top target jets in following Euro 2024 match

Joshua Zirkzee is set to jet into Manchester on Thursday evening for a medical, following an agreement between United and Bologna.

The 23 year old Dutchman is poised to be the first summer signing after being given the green light to travel to Manchester post the Netherlands' Euro 2024 campaign. They were defeated 2-1 by England in the semi-finals on Wednesday night.

Zirkzee had a $44m (£34m/€40m) release clause in his Bologna contract, but United has instead agreed to pay $46m (£36m/€42.5m), with the payments staggered over a three-year period. If they had chosen to trigger the release clause, it would have required a full payment.

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The ex-Bayern Munich youngster will ink a five-year deal at Old Trafford, with the option of a further year. United had prioritized the signing of a forward this summer, with Anthony Martial leaving the club at the end of his contract and Rasmus Hojlund the only recognized senior striker in the squad.

Zirkzee joined Bayern Munich's youth programme from Feyenoord in 2017 and scored four goals in 17 first-team appearances in Bavaria. He had loan spells at Parma and Anderlecht, with a successful season in Belgium in 2021/22 earning him a switch to Bologna.

He netted 11 times in 34 league matches last season, helping Bologna secure a Champions League spot. He also made his first appearance for the Netherlands during their journey to the Euro 2024 semi-finals but had to settle for opportunities from the bench.

United is now likely to push ahead with its attempts to sign international colleague Matthijs de Ligt while offers have also been made for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Lille teenager Leny Yoro.

Liverpool.com says: United needed to improve its front line this summer and Zirkzee has certainly made an impression at Bologna. He will take some of the load off Rasmus Hojlund but both players are still relatively young. You'd suspect United will need more if it is to close the gap on Liverpool, Arsenal and City.