Man Utd prepare to trigger their target's release clause after UEFA block deal

Joshua Zirkzee has emerged as a serious transfer target for Manchester United, with the club reportedly set to trigger the £33.8million release clause in the striker's contract.

The Red Devils are hoping for incomings and outgoings in the summer transfer window, which is set to be the first one overseen by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos. And transfer activity is already starting to ramp up after the club's top brass finally gave Erik ten Hag clarity over his future last week.

It's understood that the club are keen to bring in attacking reinforcements to support Rasmus Hojlund, who endured a challenging start to his maiden season in the Premier League. And while United have other targets, a deal for Zirkzee appeals.

As revealed by The Telegraph, United have 'serious interest' in bringing the Bologna striker to Old Trafford, with the report going on to claim that the club are 'preparing' to trigger the release clause in the 23-year-old's contract after entering into talks with the player's camp.

Zirkzee has been linked with several top European clubs in recent weeks, including AC Milan and Arsenal. He scored 11 goals and laid on five assists in 35 Serie A matches last term.

As well as targeting a new forward, United are also prioritising the signing of a central defender and a holding midfielder. It's outlined, though, that the club's net transfer budget is just £50m, meaning additional funds will need to be raised through player trading.

The Red Devils have already bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite since the transfer window opened last week, however, it was swiftly rejected by their Premier League rivals, who value the 21-year-old at £70m.

Jean-Clair Todibo of OGC Nice is another player who has been identified as a Manchester United transfer target. However, it has now emerged that UEFA have informed the club they will not be able to sign any players from Nice, who are also owned by Ratcliffe.

Although the British billionaire didn't name any specific players, he hit out at the stance in a wide-ranging interview with Bloomberg, branding it unfair on the player, who is free to be sold to another Premier League club.

"We've got a player in Nice who was interested in Manchester United and he probably has the capability," Ratcliffe said. "They’ve said [UEFA] we can sell him to another Premiership club, but we can't sell to Manchester United. But that's not fair on the player and I don’t see what that achieves."