With the objective to recruit Joshua Zirkzee ahead of AC Milan, Manchester United has reached an agreement about a release clause of 33 million pounds. Wow, I am completely dumbfounded to learn that this long-awaited agreement has finally been finalized this morning. 😳🙀

Ahead of the 2017 Premier League season, Manchester United prioritized securing a new striker and at least one new center-back while deciding to retain Erik ten Hag as their manager.

Joshua Zirkzee emerged as a prime target for United after his impressive performance in Serie A, where he netted 11 goals in the previous season. However, United faced competition from AC Milan for the 23-year-old forward. Initially, Zirkzee had an agreement with AC Milan, but the deal fell through when the club declined to pay an additional €15 million (£12.6 million) commission to the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian.

This delay allowed Manchester United to step in, and Zirkzee subsequently reached a personal agreement with the club after communicating with Erik ten Hag.

United then considered whether to pay Zirkzee’s €40 million (£33.7 million) release clause in full or negotiate a separate arrangement with Bologna that involved a smaller upfront fee with add-ons due to their financial constraints.

According to Sky Sports Italy, United has decided to trigger Zirkzee’s release clause and have formally informed Bologna of their intent. Additionally, United agreed to pay the €15 million (£12.6 million) commission fee that previously stalled the deal with AC Milan.

Bayern Munich stands to benefit significantly from Zirkzee’s move to United as they included a 45 percent sell-on clause in the deal that saw the Dutch striker join Bologna for £7 million (€8.5 million) from the Bundesliga club in August 2022.

Currently, Zirkzee is with the Netherlands squad as they prepare for their Euro 2024 semi-final match against England on Wednesday evening. The striker, who was a late addition to the Dutch squad in June, earned his first senior cap in the 2-1 victory over Turkey in the Euro 2024 quarter-final on Saturday night.

When questioned about his future after the game, Zirkzee expressed uncertainty about remaining in Italy for another season. Asked if he would still be playing in Italy next season, Zirkzee told Sportitalia, “I don’t know, let’s see.” When pressed further about the chances of staying, he repeated, “Let’s see.”