Why Man Utd have decided to pay more for Joshua Zirkzee than his release clause

Manchester United are closing in on Joshua Zirkzee - but are set to pay more than the strikers £34million release clause.

Zirkzee is set to fly to the UK to undergo on a medical on Friday after the Netherlands were knocked out of Euro 2024. The 24-year-old came on as a substitute as his side were beaten 2-1 by England in their semi-final clash on Wednesday.

United have agreed a deal with Bologna to pay €42.5m (£35.7m) instead of triggering Zirkzee's £34m release clause. That is because they would have had to have paid the release clause in full.

However, United will now be able to pay the fee in instalments across a three-year period. Zirkzee is also set to sign a five-year contract, with United having an option to extend it for a further year.

Following the Netherland's Euros exit, Zirkzee wrote on social media: "A big let down last night. It was a dream come true to be part of this team (yet still) and I am proud and grateful to wear this shirt. Orange fans, thank you for your support."

The Red Devils are also closing in on Matthijs De Ligt, while Lazio prepare to hijack Mason Greenwood's move to Marseille. United are ready to pay £43million to Bayern Munich for Dutch centre-half De Ligt, who featured under manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, but who did not play at minute at Euro 2024.

Lazio were the early favourites to land Greenwood before Marseille offered £27million for the striker, who has no future at Old Trafford. But Marseille mayor Benoit Payan is leading opposition to the move because Greenwood was arrested in 2022 over allegations of attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour, although all charges were subsequently dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

"I do not want my club to be covered in shame," Payan told RMC. "It is not acceptable." A number of Marseille fans also protested against the club's move for Greenwood, with the #GreenwoodNotWelcome hashtag used on social media.

New Marseille boss and former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has tried to defend Greenwood and United need to sell him to help pay for Zirkzee and De Ligt. "Greenwood isn't recruited yet, so there isn't much to say," said De Zerbi when asked about the move.

"He's a champion, an international level player. I don't know what happened, I'm not concentrating on private lives. When a player signs for the club, I consider him my child. Even if I can pull his ear in private, I will defend him publicly. My players are like my sons."