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The agent of Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has reportedly set the commission he wants to successfully engineer a switch to Old Trafford for his client.
Zirkzee is believed to be United’s main transfer alternative in their efforts to provide competition to Rasmus Hojlund and add more quality options in the number nine position.
The Dutch international enjoyed a fantastic 2023/24 season with Bologna in which he plundered 11 goals and four assists in 34 Serie A games.
The talisman was crucial as Bologna secured Champions League football for the first time since 1964 – the same year the Italian side last won the Scudetto.
Milan were thought to be firm favorites to win Zirkzee, and the player himself wants to move to San Siro. However, the deal never crossed the line as the player’s representative – Kia Joorabchian – was unable to reach an agreement on agent fees with the Rossoneri.
Joorabchian is said to want €15 million in agents’ fees to facilitate the move – a sum Milan have no intention of shelling out.
A subsequent report stated that Joorabchian had significantly reduced this number, but even then he could not find a compromise with Milan.
It is understood United have already made contact with Zirkzee’s camp to express an interest in the 23-year-old. There is a belief that the Red Devils are even preparing a bid for the Bologna man, who is also on the radar of the likes of Arsenal and Juventus.
A recent report covered by The Peoples Person revealed that Joorabchian had given Milan an ultimatum to close the deal quickly or talks about his client potentially joining their ranks would be over. It also emerged that Joorabchian was prepared to give United a “fee discount” as he enjoys an excellent relationship with the 20-time English champions.
Nick Semeraro has now provided an update on the matter and specified the exact amount Zirkzee’s agent wants.
Semeraro wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Manchester United ready to pay Joshua Zirkzee’s release clause.”
“Kia Joorabchian asked for £8m commission instead of £12.5m.”
“The footballer, who has an agreement with Milan, is flattered by the interest of the Red Devils. He is currently focused on the euro.”
🚨Excl.
🔴Manchester United is ready to pay Joshua Zirkzee’s release clause.
⚠️Kia Joorabchian demanded £8 million in commission instead of £12.5 million.
The footballer, who has an agreement with Milan, is flattered by the interest of the Red Devils. He is currently focused on #EURo2024. https://t.co/eR5a3ocxrz
— Nick Semeraro (@SemeraroNick) June 20, 2024
With all that, Corriere dello Sport says that Bologna are already planning for life without Zirkzee and have found a replacement for him.
Rossoblù wants Panathinaikos’ Fotis Ioannidis to fill the vacuum left by Zirkzee, whose departure seems increasingly inevitable.
Bologna are not ready to wait for Zirkzee to make a decision on his future and there are plans to bring in Joannidis soon.
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town are also keen on Ioanidis, who scored 23 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions last term, according to Transfermarkt.
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