Man Utd given Joshua Zirkzee boost as Milan consider Romelu Lukaku – report

Manchester United could be left alone in the race to sign Joshua Zirkzee as AC Milan now look at other strikers, with Romelu Lukaku an option, according to a report.

90 mins It was first revealed in January that Zirkzee was firmly on United’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.

Reports from across England and Europe claimed last week that the Red Devils were progressing their interest in the Bologna striker.

Milan have also spent much of June in contact with Zirkzee’s entourage. His contract contains a relatively affordable £34m release clause, but personal terms and agent fees have prevented a full deal being agreed so far, while there have been suggestions that it might not prove as problematic for United.

Gazzetta du Sport write that Milan are ultimately not prepared to pay the £12.7m agent fee needed to complete a deal, and are therefore exploring other options in case those demands do not change.

One of the names under consideration at San Siro is Lukaku, who is set to leave Chelsea after spending the last two years on loan at Milan’s Serie A rivals Inter and Roma.

However, a deal for Lukaku could be complicated by interest from Napoli, with Antonio Conte eyeing a possible reunion with the Belgium international.

Other strikers Milan are looking for include Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion and Lille’s Jonathan David, who has spent the last two seasons playing under new Rossoneri head coach Paulo Fonseca. Coincidentally, Omorodion and David have been tipped to replace Lukaku at Chelsea.

Milan’s priority remains Zirkzee, who will wait until the end of the Dutch Euro 2024 campaign to decide his future. Although United are the only other team to increase their interest in the Dutchman at this stage, Milan could also be rivaled by Arsenal and Juventus in the coming days and weeks.