Manchester United will surely spend on a new striker this summer but finding the right signing will be a challenge for Ineos.
Here we are again, about to enter a transfer window with Manchester United set to explore the signing of a new goalscorer.
Rasmus Hojlund wasn’t exactly cheap last summer as he made a big-money move from Atalanta to Old Trafford.
The Dane showed promising signs in his first season, ending the campaign with 16 goals in all competitions.
Hojlund should have a huge future ahead of him at United but another option is needed up top – especially with Anthony Martial moving on this summer.
The Frenchman hasn’t kicked a ball since December and that inability to utilise another striker, even if just to give Hojlund a rest, was a seriously felt.
United must now find another forward to sign this summer and a host of names have already been mentioned.
Manchester United could miss out on Joshua Zirkzee
Whether it’s an up-and-comer such as RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko or a more proven Premier League threat in Brentford’s Ivan Toney, United have been linked with new forwards already.
Another name in the mix is Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.
The Dutchman enjoyed a strong season with Bologna, hitting 11 goals and four assists in 34 games to fire Bologna into the Champions League.
Reports in Italy suggest that United are especially keen on signing Zirkzee as competition for Hojlund.
Zirkzee has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his physical attributes complemented by outstanding and somewhat nonchalant skill on the ball.
United may love to sign Zirkzee but a move to Bayern Munich now seems much more likely for him.
Sport1’s Christopher Michel reports that Bayern are now heavily considering bringing Zirkzee back to Germany.
Bayern sold Zirkzee to Bologna in 2022 but hold a buy-back clause worth around €20million (£17million), which looks like an incredible bargain.
Michel suggests that Bayern may now sign Zirkzee and even play him alongside Harry Kane in attack, presenting a route to first-team action at the Allianz Arena.
Vincent Kompany the key
Bayern’s release clause certainly provides an upper hand over United, but so does their appointment of Vincent Kompany.
The Belgian recently made a stunning move to become the new Bayern boss despite suffering relegation from the Premier League with Burnley.
Kompany will now play a part in their summer recruitment and a move to re-sign Zirkzee just makes too much sense.
Zirkzee played under Kompany at Anderlecht during the 2021-22 season, hitting 18 goals in 47 appearances over in Belgium.
Zirkzee even hinted in January 2023 that he would be interested in reuniting with Kompany at Burnley if an opportunity arose.
Fast forward 18 months and Zirkzee could now end up playing under Kompany at Bayern in a stunning turn of events.
That combination of cheap buy-back clause and connection to the new manager means United will almost certainly be left lagging behind Bayern in any battle for Zirkzee – and it may be time to focus on other targets.