Bologna are resigned to losing Joshua Zirzkee this month - and the in-demand striker has now held talks with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
A whole host of clubs have been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old, who has a €40 million (£33.7m) release clause in his contract. Premier League clubs are among those tracking Zirzkee, including United.
The Red Devils are in the market for attacking reinforcements but have a limited transfer budget of around £50m. Zirzkee remains a top target, though, and both he and his representatives have now held talks with Ten Hag, according to a new report.
Sky Sport Germany believe that private meetings have taken place in recent days as United prepare to trigger the forward's release clause. They add, though, that for now, Zirkzee remains fully focused on the Netherlands' Euro 2024 campaign.
Italian giants AC Milan are also admirers of Zirkzee and are hopeful he can be convinced to remain in Italy. They are still in the mix for his signature despite interest from United.
While it remains to be seen whether or not United can fend off interest from Milan and others, Bologna technical director, Giovanni Sartori, admits it is "99.9 per cent" certain Zirkzee will leave the club in the coming weeks.
“Zirkzee has a clause so he will leave 99.9 per cent,” Sartori told Sky Sport Italia on Monday night. “We have been thinking about his replacement for months. It won’t be easy but we will work to replace him, we already have some names, some ideas.”
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United have unveiled their new adidas home kit with new front-of-shirt sponsors for the 2024/25 season - and you can get your hands on it right now.
As well as targeting a new striker, Manchester United are also in the market for a central defender and have already seen a bid for Jarrad Branthwaite knocked back by Everton.
United are now in talks with Bayern Munich over a deal for Matthijs de Ligt. The Netherlands international previously worked with Ten Hag at Ajax and could leave Bayern this summer after falling down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena.
The 24-year-old has been a target for United in the past, however, he had previously shown a reluctance to move to Old Trafford. De Ligt and Zirkee could both feature in the Netherlands Round of 16 match against Romania at Euro 2024 on Tuesday evening.
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