Manchester, July 12: Manchester United have finalized a £35.3 million (€42 million) deal for Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee, marking the first signing under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership. With the 23-year-old forward’s terms and agent’s fee agreed, his official arrival is imminent.
Although the fee surpasses Zirkzee’s €40 million release clause, United can spread the payment over three years, providing financial flexibility. Manager Erik ten Hag aims for Zirkzee, who is 6ft 3in and began his professional career at Bayern Munich, to compete with Rasmus Højlund for the centre-forward position. Zirkzee’s journey includes stints at Parma and Anderlecht before joining Bologna in August 2022.
Zirkzee recently made his Netherlands debut as an 87th-minute substitute in their 2-1 Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Turkey and again appeared in the 89th minute during their 2-1 semi-final loss to England.
Meanwhile, Donny van de Beek has left United for Girona on a three-year contract. The deal is worth €500,000 initially, potentially rising to €9.1 million, along with a significant share of any future transfer fee. Van de Beek, who joined United from Ajax for £37.4 million in September 2020, struggled to cement his place, scoring just two goals in 62 appearances.
In coaching changes, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake have joined United as assistant managers to Ten Hag, both signing contracts until 2026. They replaced Benni McCarthy and Mitchell van der Gaag. Ten Hag praised van der Gaag and McCarthy for their contributions, noting van der Gaag’s decision to pursue a head coaching role.
Van Nistelrooy, who previously coached PSV Eindhoven, boasts a remarkable record with United, scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances from 2001-06. Hake joins from Go Ahead Eagles, where he had been head coach since 2022.