AC Milan eye Joshua Zirkzee revenge as Manchester United target “close” to Serie A move

AC Milan are seemingly looking to get their revenge for Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer as a Manchester United target draws “close” to a Serie A move.

Manchester United are looking to sign a new central midfielder this summer following several tactical problems within Erik ten Hag‘s team during the 2023/24 campaign.

United conceded over eighty goals last season, and although this was in part due to the number of injuries the club faced in the back line, gaps in the midfield also had their part to play.

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While Scott McTominay received a lot of praise for his attacking contributions, scoring 10 goals, he and Casemiro were at times criticised for their defensive performances, with others such as Sofyan Amrabat being underwhelming.

Kobbie Mainoo was the only star who shone through in midfield, and it’s clear that the club need to find the 19-year-old a suitable partner for his role alongside Bruno Fernandes. The club have been widely linked with Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana.

However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Fofana is set to join the Milan outfit for a reported fee of just under £12 million, with any additional bonuses still under negotiation.

United and AC Milan have already engaged in one battle so far this summer, with United winning the battle for Joshua Zirkzee’s signature after beating the club out for the 23-year-old Dutchman.

The report claims that Gerry Cardinale, the head of club owners RedBird Capital, made an unannounced visit to Milan to fast-track the deal. Cardinale met with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, club president Paolo Scaroni, CEO Giorgio Furlani, and sporting director Geoffrey Moncada.

The 25-year-old is now set to undergo his medical once the final details surrounding his transfer are ironed out. This means Milan will have beaten United to Fofana in revenge for the Zirkzee race.

United have most prominently been linked with Paris St. Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, although the clubs are currently fairly far apart in their valuations, with the player keen to join Old Trafford.

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