AC Milan or Man Utd? Fabrizio Romano reveals the 'clear frontrunners' to sign Zirkzee 

Italian transfer market guru Fabrizio Romano has insisted that AC Milan are well ahead of Manchester United and other clubs in the race to sign former Netherlands U21 international of Nigerian descent Joshua Zirkzee.

The Bologna star has established a reputation as one of the hottest young players on the planet at the moment after a breakout season that saw him register 19 goal involvements in 37 all-competition appearances.

Zirkzee was handed a late call-up to the Netherlands squad for the 2024 European Championship, which begins in Germany today, and an appearance at the tournament would see him become cap-tied to his country of birth. 

AC Milan have been working on a deal to sign the Dutch-Nigerian striker for six months and hold an advantage over other clubs because the player is keen on a move to the seven-time European champions. 

Speaking on his YouTube page, Romano said: "Let me clarify one thing on Joshua Zirkzee. AC Milan are the clear frontrunners for the Dutch striker. 

"AC Milan have been working on this deal for months. They did a very good job in anticipating the market because Milan started working on this deal at the end of 2023.

"In January, February,March, they started building everything around the player. They have an agreement almost done on the salary.

"Days ago, they communicated to Bologna that they will trigger the buy option clause for Joshua Zirkzee in case they can agree a deal with player and agents.

"40 million euros is the release clause valid for all the clubs in the world, not just Bayern, not just Italian clubs, but AC Milan already informed Bologna of their intention to trigger the clause."

Benjamin Šeško, another promising striker wanted by top clubs in the Premier League, is off the market having agreed to commit his future to RB Leipzig. 

With Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal exploring alternatives to Šeško, AC Milan must intensify their efforts to finalize the deal for Zirkzee or risk missing out on the Bayern Munich academy product.

Romano added: "They have to close this deal as soon as possible otherwise for Milan there could be the risk to see other clubs entering the story for example Manchester United are informed on the situation of Zirkzee.

"With Šeško not being on the market anymore, he was a target for Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, but they will not sign Benjamin Šeško, and so all of them are exploring alternative options. Chelsea with Jhon Durán, let's see Manchester United with Joshua Zirkzee. 

"Milan hope to close this deal as soon as possible otherwise it could be a dangerous situation. Milan remain the frontrunners, did a very good job on Joshua Zirkzee.

"Meanwhile, Manchester United are informed on the situation more than other clubs at this point."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: bolognafc.it

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