GREAT NEWS: “The New Lewandowski”: the €70 million sensational striker “prefers” to move to AC Milan over United.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, is under increased pressure following his team’s late collapse against Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday.
Alejandro Garnacho scored twice, but a hat-trick from Cole Palmer and some shoddy defending condemned the Red Devils to their 12th loss of the current season.
Rasmus Hojlund is the only player with ten goals this season despite not scoring in his last three games after scoring in seven straight league games.
After a lackluster cameo at Stamford Bridge, Marcus Rashford’s dedication was called into doubt once more. With Anthony Martial certain to depart in the summer, finding a striker in the summer is crucial.
United’s pursuit of a striker
Throughout the campaign, United has been linked to a number of frontmen, but Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna is one player whose name keeps coming up.
The 22-year-old is the top scorer for the Serie A squad, with 11 goals and 6 assists in 31 games across all competitions. Thiago Motta’s team is presently fourth and has a chance to qualify for the Champions League the next season.
Due to the Netherlands U21 international’s performances, United has been made aware of his availability; Arsenal is apparently also in the running. However, AC Milan is presently in first place for the former Bayern Munich player, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
Zirkzee has been compared to Robert Lewandowski and the Bundesliga’s top team has a repurchase clause, but the player is hesitant to return because he “prefers to stay in Serie A” for the time being. Zirkzee had won the Champions League during his time in Bavaria.
He would be the undisputed starter at the Rossoneri and get the opportunity to establish himself at a major club with a captivating project under Stefano Pioli.
He undoubtedly favors Milan over Bayern Munich, which has a 40 million option that it may activate at the conclusion of the current campaign.
“Joshua is aware that he won’t have to adapt at Milan because he will play in a championship and against familiar opponents. He can also challenge himself in the Champions League and be a part of a fantastic team.”
The biggest challenge will be his potential fee; Bologna plans to demand between €70 and €80 million, citing United’s summer transfer of Hojlund as a guide.
Zirkzee wants to stay in Serie A.
The seven-time Champions League champions are prepared to include Alexis Saelemaekers in a player-plus-cash deal because they are unable to pay that sum.
Their biggest concern is that, should United and Arsenal make an offer Bologna cannot reject, they might completely destroy them.
It is conceivable that Milan might come very close to 50 million by using the loan from Alexis Saelemaekers, which Bologna can return for about 10 million and for which Thiago Motta has great appreciation.
“The big English teams become unstoppable if they travel to Italy with a backpack full of coins. Zirkzee is expected to leave Manchester United if they return with a large cheque after making an early approach for him. Arsenal is another team that is underappreciated yet has a fantastic project for Zirkzee.
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