Man Utd ‘complete deal’ for Euro 2024 star with club paying ‘more than his release clause’

Manchester United are set to land their first signing of the summer, with Joshua Zirkzee signing for the club from Bologna until 2029.

This marks the first piece of transfer business of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era following his significant investment earlier in the year.

Zirkzee will join United for a reported €42m according to The Athletic with the Premier League side paying more than the Dutchman’s release clause in exchange for a better payment structure.

Had United opted for the €40million (£34m) release clause in Zirkzee’s contract, they would have had to pay the entire sum up front rather than spreading out the payments.

The 23-year-old will now travel for his medical on Friday following the Netherland’s Euro 2024 exit at the hands of England in Wednesday’s semi-final.

Zirkzee will sign a deal until 2029 with an option for an extra year.

The attacker scored 11 goals and four assists in Serie A in 34 appearances last season, and was rewarded with a place in Ronald Koeman’s Euro 2024 side.

With the experienced Memphis Depay leading the line, it was difficult to for the Dutchman to get minutes with just two late substitute appearances in the tournament.

While this is the first signing of the summer, it won’t be the first contract signed at Old Trafford this summer following the extension of manager Erik ten Hag’s contract.

Joshua Zirkzee- Getty

Following signing his new contract, Ten Hag spoke about the upcoming season.

“We won an FA Cup, we won a Carabao Cup, but also we have high expectations from ourselves,” Ten Hag began.

“We know it doesn’t come overnight; we have to work for it. We are highly ambitious, so we have to raise our standards day by day, and improve every day.

“Every time, we have to live with the line in our head: good is not good enough. We have to do better.”

United’s FA Cup victory means the club will play in Europe next season despite only finishing 8th in the Premier League, which could help massively when it comes to potential summer incomings.