Manchester United may find themselves in a battle with one of European football’s bonafide A-listers this summer.
That is, of course, presuming there is truth to the rumours of the Red Devils’ interest in a striker who’s breezy balleticism has drawn comparisons with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Dimitar Berbatov.
Joshua Zirkzee might not be the most prolific of the centre-forwards linked with Manchester United – Serhou Guirassy and Benjamin Sesko have scored more while Viktor Gyokeres took his tally to a stunning 40 over the weekend – but the vision, technique and movement he brings in his favoured ‘nine-and-a-half’ role could be the key to unlocking the potential of Erik ten Hag’s precocious widemen.
According to reports, Man United scouted Zirkzee – alongside Atalanta duo Teun Koopmeiners and Giorgio Scalvini – during a Serie A clash with Champions League-chasing Bologna back in March.
Zirkzee has a relatively paltry 12 goals from his 35 outings this season but a tally of seven assists paints the picture of a centre-forward who should not be judged on his goals alone. A superb link-man – he was labelled ‘exceptional’ by Italy legend Roberto Baggio – Zirkzee is not so much a pure finisher like Rasmus Hojlund but would give United a different, more technical option in the final third; the Dutchman’s intelligence and craft opening up spaces for Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to exploit.
As you might expect, given the speed of his development under the United-linked Bologna coach Thiago Motta, the Premier League giants are not the only club reportedly in pursuit.
Manchester United linked with Joshua Zirkzee
Inter Milan have been linked too. And the Serie A champions’ vice-president Javier Zanetti opted for fuel rather than cold water when asked to comment on the speculation this week.
“Zirkzee is a great champion,” Zanetti tells Tuttomercatoweb of the £50 million-rated former Bayern Munich starlet. “We are talking about a young, talented, intelligent, physically very strong player. Someone like that would be useful to any great team aiming for important goals.
“If an important opportunity presents itself, maybe we can think about it.”
Inter Milan launch Bologna assault
Inter – who’s own head coach Simone Inzaghi has also been mentioned in conjuction with the Ol Trafford hotseat – cruised to the Scudetto this season.
The likely departures of former United forward Alexis Sanchez and one-time United target Marko Arnautovic opens the door for another attacker to join captain marvel Lautaro Martinez and the criminally-underrated Marcus Thuram at San Siro.
“Zirkzee, Lautaro and Thuram,” Zanetti adds. “Three young, strong strikers who give you peace of mind.”
Man United, with just Hojlund and the perma-crocked, out-of-contract Anthony Martial as their centre-forward options, can only dream of such depth in the final third.’Man United, with just Hojlund and the perma-crocked, out-of-contract Anthony Martial as their centre-forward options, can only dream of such depth in the final third.