There is no smoke without fire, even in something as unpredictable and wild as a Manchester United transfer window.
A lot has started happening and getting reported as soon as United got their executive structure in place, with news of incoming and outgoing gathering pace.
There is increasingly looking like a concrete window of players that United are aiming for and getting confident about securing.
The trio in question is Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, and Joshua Zirkzee, and United have now taken a big step forward in securing the latter of these three due to circumstances beyond their control.
Huge boost to Zirkzee pursuit
Ben Jacobs of GIVEMESPORT reports that United are locked in “very advanced” discussions with the player regarding a move.
He reports that this is huge since the stumbling block with this deal was always going to be personal terms rather than a transfer fee.
Zirkzee’s release clause of £34 million means that any club can pay that amount to Bologna, who would be powerless to resist the bid.
Therefore, it all comes down to convincing the player that a move to United would be the best for him, something which isn’t straightforward.
AC Milan were early movers for him and looked like favourites at one point but the report states that Zirkzee’s participation in the Euros has swung the deal in United’s favour.
Jacobs said: “Euros have delayed things a little bit but it has actually benefitted Man United, because had Zirkzee not been called up to the Netherlands squad, then Milan might have been able to get it over the line.
“Instead, his participation in Euros have United a window of opportunity and they’re now in advanced talks.”
Agent powerplay in Zirkzee pursuit
It is believed that, for Milan, the sticking point of the deal, despite informing Bologna they’ll pay the release clause, was the commission for the agent.
Zirkzee is represented by Kia Joorabchian, who was reportedly seeking a commission of about £12 million to secure a transfer away for his client.
Milan were reticent about paying this amount in addition to the release clause for Bologna, opening up United’s window.
It is still not clear whether United have accepted this commission as a cost of doing business or are trying to negotiate with the agent but them being in advanced talks means some sort of breakthrough has been reached.
Two of United’s three prospective signings play for the Netherlands and after their 3-0 win over Romania yesterday to progress further in the Euros, it is fair to assume that neither will be done/announced before the players’ international commitments end.
It is still a welcome departure from transfer windows under the Glazers where panic buying and plan-less spending became the norm.
