Extensive negotiations have been held with Joshua Zirkzee’s agents, reaching a significant consensus on terms with the player. The Premier League’s summer transfer window for 2024 opened on June 14 and will shut down on August 30 at 11 pm UK time in England, and midnight in Scotland.

There is mounting optimism among all parties involved that a deal can be sealed for Joshua Zirkzee’s move from Bologna to Manchester United. United’s commitment to meeting the 23-year-old’s £34m release clause has been underscored by reports from Sky Sports.

Internally, discussions continue on whether United will opt for a straightforward payment of the release clause or negotiate a structured agreement with Bologna. Meanwhile, Zirkzee, currently part of the Netherlands squad at Euro 2024, made his tournament debut during Saturday’s quarter-final win over Turkey, appearing as a late substitute.

Apart from Manchester United, Arsenal and AC Milan have also shown interest in Zirkzee, who remains under contract with Bologna for two more years. Juventus, another suitor, is exploring alternative targets and would likely need to sell a forward to facilitate a new signing.

Zirkzee’s career path has seen him develop through Bayern Munich’s youth system before moving to Parma and Anderlecht, eventually landing at Bologna in 2022. Although his first season in Serie A saw limited playing time and only two league goals from 808 minutes, he significantly improved last season, scoring 11 league goals.

His proficiency is evident from the left-of-center area, as highlighted by his shot map, while his heatmap reflects a deeper positioning than traditional strikers. Zirkzee’s statistical prowess places him among the top performers in Serie A for creating chances, attempting dribbles, and regaining possession in the final third, placing him in the top echelon across Europe in these metrics according to radar graphics.

Aligning with other major European leagues, the Premier League’s decision to move up its deadline day to August 30 at 11 pm UK time was made after consultations with counterparts in England, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France to harmonize transfer windows across the continent.