Manchester United are about to make their first signing of the summer and the first under the club’s new ownership.
The Red Devils are close to announcing the arrival of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee after agreeing terms to a five-year contract.
With Anthony Martial leaving the club this summer it left Manchester United short in their striker department with Rasmus Hojlund shouldering most of the responsibility up front last season.
But the club have moved quickly to sign a young and exciting talent in Zirkzee – who is set to become the first signing under Ineos’s ownership.
The 23-year-old is free to finalise the move after his Euro 2024 campaign with the Netherlands ended in a semi-final defeat to England.
Zirkzee will join a squad full of young prospects at Old Trafford but his signing comes as a surprise to Dutch coach Rene Meulensteen.
Why Joshua Zirkzee joining Manchester United is a surprise
Manchester United signing a striker this summer will not come as a surprise to anybody – it was blindingly clear that they needed a new forward this summer.
Rasmus Hojlund has shown glimpses of brilliance but at 21 years of age he has plenty of developing to do.
And that is exactly why Meulensteen – who was the first-team coach at Old Trafford between 2007 and 2013 – was surprised that United signed another young striker.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said “It’s an interesting deal. He’s obviously a young and upcoming player. He had a few minutes on the pitch for Holland. He’s a tall boy, strong and very skillful.
“But it’s a little bit of a surprising signing to me. When people come from other leagues into the Premier League it takes time to settle, and not all the players do settle.
“It’s interesting to see how Zirkzee does that because I expected United to go for a more experienced striker.”
Joshua Zirkzee at Manchester United next season
Zirkzee will be expected to hit the ground running at Old Trafford regardless of his age.
He showed signs of promise last season with 12 goals and seven assists across all competitions for Bologna and he will be expected to match that output in the Premier League.
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The burden of scoring will be shared between Hojlund and Zirkzee and it is unclear who will get the nod as the starting strike under Erik Ten Hag – but pressure will be on them both to find the net on a regular basis next season.
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