Man United complete the signing of £36.5M Netherlands striker from Bologna on a 5-years deal

Man United complete the signing of £36.5M Netherlands striker from Bologna on a 5-years deal

Manchester United have made their first major signing of the summer transfer window as they announced the arrival of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.

Joshua Zirkzee has signed a five-year deal at Manchester United with the option of a further year; Man Utd paid Bologna £36.5m (€42.5m) for the Netherlands international, slightly above his £34.4m (€40m) release clause in exchange for more favourable payment terms

it was reported on Thursday that United had reached an agreement with Bologna worth €42.5 million (£36m/$46m) that would see the 23-year-old join the Old Trafford club.

The Dutch attacker was initially close to joining AC Milan, but that deal fell through, paving the way for the Red Devils to swoop in and snap him up.

He has signed a five-year contract with an option to extend for an extra season as he joins up with fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag in Manchester.

Zirkzee is Manchester United’s first major signing since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group purchased a minority share in the club.

However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to overhaul the club’s transfer strategy, having brought in Dan Ashworth from Newcastle as the club’s new sporting director.

He followed Omar Berrada who took over as CEO after agreeing to join the club from Manchester City.