Zlatan Ibrahimovic hands Manchester United major Joshua Zirkzee transfer boost

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed AC Milan have moved on from their attempts to sign Manchester United target Joshua Zirkzee.

The Bologna forward has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, with the Manchester giants reportedly willing to pay Zirkzee’s €40million (£33.8m) release clause.

Milan had also been interested in the 23-year-old, who scored 11 goals in 34 Serie A appearances last season as Bologna reached the Champions League for the first time in 60 years.

Arsenal have also previously held an interest in the former Bayern Munich youngster but reports in Italy suggest Zirkzee has agreed terms over a move to United.

Ibrahimovic, who is a senior advisor on the Milan board, confirmed that the San Siro giants had now moved on to other targets.

“I can guarantee that new signings will arrive,” he said.

“We are talking, discussing. There is nothing done.

“Zirkzee is in the past. We have one in mind, but I will not say the name. There is someone we are aiming for.”

When asked if there was disappointment about not signing the striker, former United star Ibrahimovic added: “No. Never disappointed. This is part of football. Reality and rumours are two different things.

“There are agents who solve problems and agents who create problems. In this case it was neither.

“The rumours that were going around were not the same as reality. We have an idea for the attack, we hope it comes in as quickly as possible.”

Zirkzee’s arrival would be the first under new sporting director Dan Ashworth after the club finally agreed a compensation package with Newcastle and the first signing since Erik ten Hag signed a new contract.

Despite extensive links with other managers after a difficult season for the club, Ten Hag was handed a new one-year extension after winning the FA Cup.