Manchester United target double deal for Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt

Manchester United eye double swoop for Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt ahead of the upcoming season.

Bologna striker Zirkzee, despite being at Euro 2024 with the Netherlands, has entered negotiations with United.

The 23-year-old was instrumental in Bologna’s impressive second-place finish in the Serie A last season, scoring 11 league goals and providing four assists.

His career had been threatened by a knee injury while on loan at Parma, but successful stints at Anderlecht and back in Italy have put him back on track.

Zirkzee recently made his debut for the Netherlands in their 2-1 quarter-final win over Turkey, becoming only the third Dutch player to earn his first cap at a European Championship, following Martien Vreijsen and Cody Gakpo.

Manchester United were prepared to activate Zirkzee’s £34 million release clause as early as late June, and Bologna director Giovanni Sartori has acknowledged that the striker is almost certain to leave.

“Joshua Zirkzee has a release clause in his contract and I believe he’s 99 per cent gonna leave the club,” Sartori stated, as reported by talkSPORT.

In addition to Zirkzee, United are also making significant progress in their pursuit of Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.

Both players are reportedly keen on moving to Old Trafford.

United manager Erik ten Hag is familiar with De Ligt, having coached him at Ajax for two seasons.

During the 2018/19 season, De Ligt was a key figure in Ajax’s remarkable Champions League run, which included a win over Real Madrid and a semi-final appearance.

Since leaving Ajax, De Ligt has played for Juventus and Bayern Munich but has struggled to replicate his early success.

Just like Zirkzee, he is also part of the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024.