Manchester United eye 11-goal Serie A striker this summer to add depth to the attacking line – reports

Manchester United are interested in signing Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee according to reports. The 23-year-old scored 12 goals and seven assists for the Italian side during the 2023/24 season – from 37 appearances – which shows that he could be a worthwhile signing for United.

The Dutchman signed for the Italian club in 2022 leaving Bayern Munich having come through their youth ranks prior to making his first team debut back in 2018. Zirkzee, 23, also played for Parma and Anderlecht on loan before leaving Bavaria permanently.

Zirkzee established himself in Thiago Motta’s team which saw Bologna reach the UEFA Champions League ahead of the 2024/25 season. The 23-year-old scored 11 goals in the Serie A last season, assisting a further five goals in the Italian top-flight.

Sky Sports had reported that Zirkzee’s performances for Bologna caught the eye of United, securing him a place on the club’s list of targets this summer in which Erik ten Hag’s side will need to sign competent defenders, midfielders and another striker.

United will need to add more firepower to the squad this season after the exit of Anthony Martial this summer, which sounds like the Frenchman would be missed this upcoming season, which is not the case after Martial sat the majority of the 2023/24 season on the sidelined through injury.

United signed Rasmus Hojlund from the Serie A last summer in a £72 million deal from Atalanta, which is seen as a success after the striker earned his place in the squad and scored the most goals in the squad during the season. Zirkzee would cost £34 million this summer though.

United do not have a clear run at the striker though as AC Milan, Arsenal and Bayern Munich – despite selling him in 2022 all have their eyes on the Dutchman. It has been suggested that Arsenal would offer the 23-year-old £115,000 per week to sign on at the Emirates Stadium.

Some reports in Italy have reported that Zirkzee has agreed on a contract that will run until the summer of 2029 – but that seems a bit early to be true – many reporters get ahead of themselves as click bait does them well in the summer months. United will need to make a move soon though.

Written by Paul