CONFIRMED: Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives approval for man united to sign €40m striker ‘Better than Haaland’ and compared to Bergkamp in January transfer window

CONFIRMED: Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives approval for man united to sign €40m striker ‘Better than Haaland’ and compared to Bergkamp in January transfer window

Why Manchester United striker target Joshua Zirkzee was dubbed ‘better than Haaland’ and compared to Bergkamp

Manchester United are being linked with a move for a Bologna forward with a lot of potential.

“Zirkzee is better than Erling Haaland at everything,” Voetbal International reporter Souleyman Ozturk said last summer.

“Now you may be dismayed because of this statement. But I will frame it. (Zirkzee) has vision, technique, strength, charisma, flair, footballing ability.

What has been said about Joshua Zirkzee
Still only 22, Zirkzee is a player with high potential, with the ability to be a complete striker.

“Zirkzee is better than Erling Haaland at everything,” Voetbal International reporter Souleyman Ozturk said last summer.

“Now you may be dismayed because of this statement. But I will frame it. (Zirkzee) has vision, technique, strength, charisma, flair, footballing ability. He is therefore better than Haaland in almost everything.

“Imagine if Zirkzee had the energy and focus of Haaland. Then he would be the best striker in the world.”

Former Italy striker Marco di Vaio has worked with Zirkzee at Bologna and says he believes this season he has made the necessary next step.

Di Vaio was quoted by TMW: “This year Joshua has made a good mental step and in every match he shows his quality. Every day I ask him to continue scoring goals and to always show that attitude what is needed to grow.”

An admiring comparison was made by former Italy international Francesco ‘Ciccio’ Graziani, who was quoted by Bologna Sport News: “Technically he is very good and has shown that he sees the goal. In Zirkzee I seem to see the Dutch Dennis Bergkamp: someone who made your eyes shine with his technique.”

Joshua Zirkzee release clause
Joshua Zirkzee has a release clause in his contract at 40 million Euros (£34.7m), reports Fabrizio Romano.

Bayern Munich can re-sign him for half the price if they wish, per the agreement, having sold him for just £6 million.

Bayern are also entitled to 50 per cent of the fee if another club sign Zirkzee.

Given that they already have prolific striker Harry Kane up front, Bayern may not be so keen to sign Zirkzee now, while the Dutchman will not see the situation as any more appealing than when his path was blocked by Robert Lewandowski.

An interesting option for Manchester United
The release clause makes Manchester United’s task fairly straightforward, as there is an upper limit on how much Zirkzee will cost.

Zirkzee, 22, is a young striker with a proven ability to score goals who already has experience playing for a huge club at Bayern, where he has scored winners.

He could come in on an even footing with Rasmus Hojlund, sharing the goalscoring responsibility, replacing Anthony Martial