Manchester United signs Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee.

The fee is understood to be just over £35m (€42.5m) - above the £33.6m (€40m) release clause.

However, it is in exchange for more favourable payment terms. It means United will not pay a lump sum up-front but pay over a three-year period.

The Premier League club are determined to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) regards loss limits and accept their present situation is tight and will require discipline in their transfer dealings.

Zirkzee is expected to have a medical this week before signing a five-year contract with the option of a further year.

Long-serving forward Anthony Martial left Old Trafford at the end of last season when his contract expired.

The Frenchman’s extended absence because of injury, in addition to Marcus Rashford’s drop in form, left new signing Rasmus Hojlund to shoulder the striking burden.

Hojlund ended up losing his place in Ten Hag’s starting line-up for the FA Cup final win over Manchester City as the manager used Bruno Fernandes in a false nine role.

Zirkzee joined Bayern Munich from Feyenoord in 2017 before moving to Bologna for about £7.15m five years later after loan spells with Parma and Anderlecht.

He scored 12 goals in 37 appearances last season as Bologna claimed a surprise spot in this season’s Champions League.

Zirkzee was named in Ronald Koeman’s Euro 2024 squad but made just two substitute appearances for the Netherlands, totalling four minutes, plus injury time.

He was introduced into Wednesday’s semi-final defeat by England immediately after Ollie Watkins’ winner.