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Tony MoganPublished Jun 28, 2024, 11:42pm|Updated Jun 28, 2024, 11:43pm
Erik ten Hag has personally held talks with Joshua Zirkzee over a move to Manchester United, regarding him as one of the most important signings the club can make this summer.
United are eager to make at least three signings this summer having decided to stick with ten Hag for the forthcoming campaign.
A holding midfielder is on their list of targets, with an approach made for Paris Saint-Germain star Manuel Ugarte with a new centre-half thought to be a top priority.
United are eager to sign Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite but are also exploring a deal to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.
Bologna star Zirkzee has emerged as their top target to bolster their forward line, with United eager to bring in an option to ease the pressure on Rasmus Hojlund up front.
The 23-year-old, who is currently at Euro 2024 with the Netherlands squad, has a release clause of £33.8m which United are willing to meet.
AC Milan and Juventus are also interested in keeping the forward in Italy but with United stepping up their interest, ten Hag has personally reached out to his countryman to discuss the move, Gianluca di Marzio reports.
Ten Hag has ‘great respect’ for Zirkzee and ‘considers him of the club’s most important objectives’ having spoken to him in recent days.
Zirkzee left Netherlands in 2017 to join the Bayern Munich academy, making 17 appearances for the German giants before spells on loan at Parma and Anderlecht.
After an impressive spell in Belgium, he joined Bologna, helping the club secure a fifth place finish and a place in next season’s Champions League with 12 goals and seven assists in 37 appearances.
United are also set to bring in new faces in the dugout with Rene Hake – head coach at Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles – confirming he is set to joint ten Hag’s coaching staff.
United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is also reportedly nearing an agreement to return to Manchester.
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