Manchester United target Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly keen to stay in Italy.
Juventus and AC Milan have both shown strong interest in signing the Dutch striker in recent weeks, but Manchester United’s name has emerged in recent days.
There have been numerous reports recently that Milan are unwilling to pay the huge €15 million fee owed to Zirkcee’s agent, Kia Joorabchian.
This paved the way for him to join Manchester United, with the English club reportedly asking Zirkzee to wait to decide his future until July, when his €40 million release clause comes into effect.
Further news broke yesterday that United are preparing a bid for the player and have been in contact with his agent over a summer move.
However, La Gazzetta dello Sport disputed recent positive reports in the United club’s favour, saying the player wants to remain in Serie A for now.
Italian media claim that United are interested but have not yet “made a formal proposal” as they intend to take advantage of Milan’s inaction.
However, it is reported that “Zirkzee has repeatedly made it clear that he would like to remain in Italy if possible.”
He is described as well established in the squad and whilst he recognises the Premier League is the “most natural destination” for a strong player, he says he is in no rush to move.
The outlet reports that because he’s only 23, he could wait until he’s 27 and still be young enough to make a move.
The report says United have been in contact but “have not made a formal offer and are not prepared to pay €40 million”. [£33.7m]”
For these reasons, Gazzetta claims that it “remains likely” that Zirkzee will pull up a Milan shirt in July.
The story gets even more complicated as Bologna remain hopeful of keeping the player as they can offer him Champions League qualification for next season and are said to be open to offering him a new contract that would increase his annual salary from 800,000 to 3 million euros and raise his release clause to between 45 and 50 million euros in order to postpone the move for a year.
The fact that Milan seem focused on clinging to the hope that he wants to stay in Italy may indicate that they are losing control of the transfer situation they thought they had in control, and that United, who must surely know they will have to pay €40 million, have swooped in at the perfect time to snatch the player from under the Italian team’s noses.
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