By Manchester United has finalized the acquisition of Joshua Zirkzee, the Bologna striker, for a sum slightly above £35m (€42.5m), surpassing his £33.6m (€40m) buy-out clause. This arrangement allows United to spread the payment over three years instead of a one-time upfront fee. Zirkzee, who recently played for the Netherlands in Euro 2024, has agreed to personal terms for a five-year tenure with an additional year’s option.
Zirkzee, 23, has been instrumental in Bologna’s Champions League qualification, contributing 12 goals and seven assists this season. His demand stems from his development at Bayern Munich, followed by stints at Parma and Anderlecht, before his 2022 transfer to Bologna. Despite a modest start in Serie A, Zirkzee’s performance improved significantly this season, with 11 league goals, particularly potent from the left-center.
In related news, Donny van de Beek has transferred from Manchester United to Girona in LaLiga. After a challenging four-year stint at Old Trafford following his transfer from Ajax for £39m in September 2020, Van de Beek’s move was settled for an initial £500k, potentially rising to £7.6m (€9.1m) with bonuses and a share of any future sale. During his time at Manchester United, Van de Beek made 62 appearances and scored two goals.
