Manchester United are pushing ahead with transfer business as Erik ten Hag chases new signings across the pitch.
Euro 2024 and Copa America continue to grab the headlines but the start of July usually means transfer business is about to pick up.
Manchester United have yet to strike an incoming deal this summer but are being linked with big moves to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Centre back is a position of focus for United with Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt a key target on the radar.
De Ligt could reunite with his former Ajax boss Ten Hag and may be followed by a new midfielder too.
United are keen to land Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who is currently featuring for Uruguay at Copa America.
United may then turn to a new striker – and one of De Ligt’s international teammates could join him at Old Trafford.
Manchester United receive Joshua Zirkzee update
The man United appear to be focusing on is Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.
The 23-year-old hit 11 goals last season, helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League.
United are believed to be leading the race for Zirkzee and a £34million release clause can now be activated.
A physical threat who has also impressed with his technical ability on the deck, Zirkzee has real potential for the future.
United view Zirkzee as the ideal competition for Rasmus Hojlund in attack, hopefully easing the burden on the Dane in the process.
Bologna technical director Giovanni Sartori has now commented on Zirkzee’s future – and admits that a deal is likely.
Sartori accepts that Zirkzee has a release clause in his deal and Bologna can’t do all that much to prevent a deal, with Sartori believing that the striker is now ’99%’ likely to leave.
“Joshua Zirkzee has release clause into his contract and I believe he’s 99% gonna leave the club,” said Sartori.
Zirkzee’s release clause became active on July 1, so United now have a chance to go and get the deal done.
United could yet launch double Bologna raid
Bologna now seem to have given up hope of keeping Zirkzee but it could yet get even worse for the Serie A side.
Reports last week suggested that United are interested in signing Bologna winger Dan Ndoye.
Ndoye has been impressing for Switzerland at Euro 2024 and United are thought to have made contact about a move after he scored against Germany.
Ndoye’s pace and trickery has caused problems this summer and Ineos certainly know all about him.
The 23-year-old has already played for two Ineos teams in Lausanne-Sport and Nice, so a move to United would make some sense.
United may well look to activate Zirkzee’s release clause and then land Ndoye too, with Bologna potentially bracing to lose two key players to United this summer.