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4 months ago
28 INEOS are moving with intent on the market this summer, which is something Manchester United fans are far from used to after 19 years of the Glazers’ tumultuous reign.
There were signs from the get-go that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. would do their utmost to bolster the squad adequately after they submitted a £35 million bid for longstanding target Jarrad Branthwaite on the opening day of the transfer window.
Indeed, the offer was swiftly rebuffed by Everton, as it fell significantly below their £70m valuation of the centre-half. But it was somewhat refreshing for fans to see United not immediately jump to overpaying for a player.
It remains to be seen if the club will return for Branthwaite. For now, they’ve turned their attention to three key targets: Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, all of which would vitally strengthen three key positions across the pitch and reinforce Erik ten Hag’s options for the 2024/2025 campaign.
A prolific striker is an absolute necessity this summer, ideally one that can ease the goalscoring burden on Rasmus Hojlund and help aid the 21-year-old as he continues his transition to the Premier League in his sophomore term.
Bologna’s stance on Zirkzee’s expected exit
Zirkzee, 23, could do exactly that. The Dutch international came through Bayern Munich’s youth system and won a treble with the Bundesliga giants before completing two loan spells with Anderlecht and Parma. He proceeded to sign for Bologna permanently in 2022.
The side’s technical director has now conceded that the likelihood of Zirkzee leaving in the coming weeks is incredibly high, largely due to his low release clause of £34m.
“Joshua Zirkzee has a release clause [embedded] into his contract, and I believe he’s 99% gonna [going to] leave the club,” Giovanni Sartori admitted.
Your move, United.

