ADVANCED STAGE: Man Utd ‘line up £34m Dutch International transfer with Red Devils holding advanced interest in Champions League striker’

ADVANCED STAGE: Man Utd ‘line up £34m Dutch International transfer with Red Devils holding advanced interest in Champions League striker’

MANCHESTER UNITED have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals in the hunt for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

The Red Devils are reportedly in talks with the Dutchman’s representatives after showing “advanced interest” in the 23-year-old.

Arsenal lead Zirkzee’s list of other Prem admirers.

But despite a switch to England appearing most likely, AC Milan are still understood to be keen on the former Bayern Munich fringe player.

Zirkzee has a buyout clause of 40million euros – around £34m.

And Bologna would love to keep their star man, whose contract runs until June 2026.

But The Athletic’s David Ornstein believes United have been in “dialogue” with Zirkzee’s camp and are “considering an approach”.

The 6ft 4ins frontman notched 11 goals and four assists in 34 Serie A matches in the domestic season just finished.

He then earned a late-call-up to Holland’s Euro 2024 squad.

It’s claimed Arsenal have also been monitoring him for several months.

And after Benjamin Sesko rejected the Gunners to stay with RB Leipzig, Emirates chief Mikel Arteta was expected to rev up his interest in Zirkzee.

But instead Arsenal’s keenness for a new out-and-out goalscorer appears to have dampened.

It’s now reckoned Arteta’s transfer priority is in central midfield.

The Spanish manager is eager to find a long-term partner there for anchorman Declan Rice.

That’s just one reason why Erik ten Hag’s United have emerged as favourites to sign Zirkzee.