Manchester United has successfully secured Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for €42.5 million, making him the first signing under the joint ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Earlier this year, Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a 27.7% stake in MU from the Glazers. While the full ownership rights are yet to be secured, this agreement allows the British billionaire to take over football operations at Old Trafford.

In less than six months, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team have swiftly completed the restructuring of MU’s leadership with CEO Omar Berrada and Sporting Director Dan Ashworth. This new leadership made an immediate impact in the summer 2024 transfer window by facilitating the surprising acquisition of Joshua Zirkzee.

MU not only negotiated swiftly but also managed to acquire the promising Dutch star at a relatively low cost. Joshua Zirkzee was highly rated after helping Bologna secure a top-four finish in Serie A last season and qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history. Experts initially valued the 23-year-old striker between €60 to €70 million, but MU secured his signature for €42.5 million. They also outbid several competitors including Arsenal and AC Milan to win this deal.

In reality, Joshua Zirkzee’s release clause was €40 million, but MU decided to pay an additional €2.5 million to Bologna, spread over three years. If the contract is terminated, MU would have to pay the full €40 million immediately to Bologna.

With a five-year contract, Joshua Zirkzee officially becomes MU’s first summer 2024 signing and the first under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership. Joshua Zirkzee developed in the ADO Den Haag academy before moving to Feyenoord at the age of 15. Just a year later, Bayern Munich recruited him. He made his Bundesliga debut at 17 and impressed with four goals in nine appearances during the 2019/20 season. However, he struggled for regular first-team opportunities at Allianz Arena and subsequently had loan spells at Parma and Anderlecht.

In the summer of 2022, Bayern Munich sold Joshua Zirkzee to Bologna for €8.5 million plus a clause entitling them to 50% of any future transfer fee for the striker. As a result, Bayern Munich stands to receive up to €21 million from Joshua Zirkzee’s move to MU.