Man Utd transfer target has already been offered deal by Premier League rival

19 June 2024 , 10:32

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Joshua Zirkzee has been of interest to Manchester United this summer (Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Manchester United target Joshua Zirkzee has opened up about how he almost joined Everton.

The 23-year-old striker is in the midst of discussions with the Red Devils, as boss Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his attacking options. It has been reported that Zirkzee is one of three players on United's wishlist to improve their forward line, along with Lille's Jonathan David and Brentford's Ivan Toney.

But the Red Devils appear to be further along with Zirkzee, having opened talks with his representatives over a summer transfer. It's not the first time Zirkzee has caught the attention of a Premier League club; back in 2017, he was tantalisingly close to signing with the Toffees.

"Everton was a serious option for me," Zirkzee told Voetbal International two years ago. "Ronald Koeman was coach, Romelu Lukaku left for Manchester United that summer and I got the feeling from Everton that there was a good chance I could really become something there. They even offered me a contract whilst I was on trial."

Despite the allure of Goodison Park, Zirkzee's head was turned by Bayern Munich, where he dreamed of emulating the feats of the club's icon Robert Lewandowski. His journey took him from Feyenoord's youth ranks to Bayern's first team under Hansi Flick's wing in 2019, followed by stints at Parma and Anderlecht on loan, before sealing a €8.5m switch to Bologna in 2022.

Erik ten Hag wants to bolster his front line this summer (Getty Images)

Zirkzee has been on fire in Italy, netting 11 league goals and setting up five more as his team secured a Champions League spot for the first time. The striker also earned a call-up to Ronald Koeman's 26-man squad for Euro 2024 and was an unused substitute in the Netherlands' 2-1 triumph over Poland on Sunday, reports the Manchester Evening News.

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According to The Athletic, Zirkzee's contract has a €40million (£34m) release clause that could simplify a potential move, although talks between the two clubs would still be necessary.

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Chris Burns