Manchester United are growing ever closer to their first summer signing, which looks to be in the form of Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.
The striker has been at the heart of a race between United and AC Milan, with the Premier League club as the front runners for the Dutchman’s signature.
The big issue with the deal for Milan is the agent fees of around £13 million need to be paid to get the deal across the line.
Zirkzee’s contract currently has a release clause of £34 million, which with the agent fees included takes the total value of the deal to £47 million which Milan are struggling with justifying, however seems doable for United.
Whilst United have the funds to trigger the release clause, this would use most of their limit transfer budget, leaving Dan Ashworth with a difficult decision on whether to wait for a ale to go through or to just proceed with signing Zirkzee.
However, reports from The Athletic suggest that Zirkzee isn’t the only striker being looked at by United this summer.
The report explains that the Red Devils are also looking to Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brentford’s Ivan Toney, with both strikers having only a year left on their contracts, and neither agreeing to renewing their terms at the club.
Two weeks ago it came about that United were beginning to look at Calvert-Lewi in the wake of Newcastle stepping away from the dal, with the 27-year-old having a £30 million price tag on his services.
However, if United were to make a play for Calvert-Lewin, this would support Everton’s financial situation, directly affecting any offer United want to make with the Toffees, with the two clubs still back and forth regarding Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Everton striker does have an issue with injuries, which United are keen to avoid following last season’s plague of injuries affecting their overall performance. However, the England international did make 38 appearance with eight goal and three assists across all competitions last season.
With regards to Ivan Toney, the 28-year-old is currently in Germany with the England squad competing in the Euros 2024, with the striker being one of the penalty takers to defeat Switzerland, taking England to the Semi-Finals against the Netherlands.
Toney’s price tag is a little higher than Calvert-Lewin’s valued at £60 million, although the report suggests that Brentford may accept £40 million.
Unfortunately Toney has had limited game time this season due to suspension with the sports court regarding betting regulations, however on his return has grabbed four goals and two assists in 17 games, getting right back to his commanding ways of the previous season where he scored 21 goals with five assists in 35 games across all competitions.
United’s interest in both players shows their need for multiple options up top, in an attempt boost squad depth to avoid the injury crisis experienced last year and to take the pressure off of Rasmus Hojlund, whilst also giving him competition for that first-choice striker role.
