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Manchester United are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Joshua Zirkzee in the summer transfer window, but who is he and why is he so highly rated?
To answer that question, Metro.co.uk takes a look at the Dutch striker’s career path, his best attributes, his biggest idols in football and more.
Here’s everything to know about the 23 year-old, who is in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 and has a €40m (£34m) release clause in his Bologna contract.
Where did Joshua Zirkzee start his career?
Born in Schiedam, Zirkzee’s youth career saw him play for a number of different Dutch clubs with separate three-year spells at VV Hekelingen, Spartaan ’20 and ADO Den Haag.
He was then snapped up by the Feyenoord youth team before he was poached by German giants Bayern Munich in 2017.
He spent two years in the Bayern Munich academy and also played 32 games for Bayern Munich II, registering 15 goal involvements for the reserve team.
Zirkzee was promoted to the Bayern Munich first-team in 2019 but would only make 17 appearances and was sent out on loan to Parma and Anderlecht.
It was at Anderlecht where Zirkzee really impressed – conjuring up 18 goals and 13 assists in 47 games – which earned him a permanent move to Bologna in Italy.
Zirkzee, who has been with Bologna since 2022 and has produced 14 goals and nine assists in 58 appearances, was crowned Serie A Best Young Player for 2024.
On the international stage, he is yet to earn his first cap for the Netherlands but is their squad for Euro 2024 and has played at every level from U15 to U21.
Why is Joshua Zirkzee so highly rated?
Zirkzee, who is 6ft 4in, is best known for his physical dominance, clinical finishing, intelligent movement, technical proficiency and versatility.
He is pretty much at the heart of every Bologna attack and largely facilitates their play going forward, dropping deep to make wide passes and create chances.
He is not a million miles away from ex-United loan striker Wout Weghorst, who played a key role in helping Marcus Rashford hit top form in 2022-23.
Strikers like Weghorst and Zirkzee are heavily involved in build-up play which is used to create space – and chances – for other forwards like Rashford.
What clubs want to sign Joshua Zirkzee?
United are not the only club keeping tabs on Zirkzee with Italian duo AC Milan and Inter Milan very keen while Arsenal have also been linked to him.
It was reported earlier this month that AC Milan were willing to trigger his release clause – and that the player was keen to remain in Serie A – although they have since hit a stumbling block over his agent’s fee.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, have made absolutely no secret of their interest in signing the young Dutchman.
‘Zirkzee is a great champion,’ Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti said. ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Frank de Boer has urged Zirkzee to join Arsenal ahead of United, Inter Milan and AC Milan this summer.
Should Joshua Zirkzee snub Man Utd for Arsenal?
‘I have great respect for Arsenal, they have patience, for example they had it with Mikel Arteta who didn’t start well,’ Frank de Boer told Calciomercato.
‘In some clubs, if it happens [with no patience] you are already out. And he has played very well in the last two years.
‘If I have to say someone [for Joshua Zirkzee to join] I prefer Arsenal because they have the patience to wait for him and give him confidence.’
When did Man Utd first get linked to Joshua Zirkzee?
United tried to sign Zirkzee all the way back in 2017 when he was just 16-years-old in the Feyenoord academy, before he was snapped up by Bayern Munich.
Six years later – in the 2023 January transfer window – the Red Devils reignited their interest in the player, which forced Bologna chief Marco Di Vaio to respond.
Bologna managed to keep hold of Zirkzee in January but with United and other clubs growing more and more interested, he seems destined for a major move.
Who are Joshua Zirkzee’s biggest idols?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gabriel Batistuta are Zirkzee’s biggest idols in football, according to his former manager and new Juventus boss Thiago Motta.
‘He said his idols are Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gabriel Batistuta, who are two excellent players, but, seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona,’ Motta said.
‘But I cannot compare him to anyone. He is just Joshua, and he is special.’
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