Zlatan Ibrahimovic drops major hint on AC Milan stance over Man Utd target

Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee with Serie A giants AC Milan looking elsewhere.

After a disappointing season, United are looking at strengthening their squad and Zirkzee has been identified as the perfect player to enhance Erik ten Hag’s attacking options ahead of his third season in charge at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in 37 appearances last season and played a lead role in helping Bologna secure a fifth-place finish in Serie A and qualification for the coming season’s Champions League.

Joshua Zirkzee during the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and AC Monza  (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

With the likes of Milan, Juventus, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur linked with a move for his services during the summer transfer window, its looking like Old Trafford will be his destination once Euro 2024 is over as the Red Devils are said to be ready to trigger a £35m release clause in his contract with Bologna.

Former AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic dropped a major hint Milan were turning their focus elsewhere in their bid to sign a forward player, a move that favors Man United.

Speaking at a press conference unveiling Milan’s new head coach Paulo Fonseca on Monday, Ibrahimovic said: “As I said before, we are studying, but we are in no hurry. The transfer window is long and I can promise that we’ll get new signings. We are talking, but nothing is close. Zirkzee is the past. As Paulo said, we have a player in mind. I won’t say his name. There is somebody, let’s see.”

AC Milan are set to start a new era under Paulo Fonseca after failing to compete for Seria A title last season.