Man United 'ready' to trigger £34m release clause for Joshua Zirkzee as Casemiro exit 'collapses'

Manchester United are reportedly poised to trigger the £33.8m release clause of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee amid their hunt for a striker.

Rasmus Hojlund is currently the only natural centre-forward option at the club amid the exit of Anthony Martial this month upon the end of his contract. Zirkzee - who scored 12 goals last season - is supposedly a target for United, who are set to have a limited starting budget this summer.

The striker’s apparent low fee would allow more scope for United to search for a new central defenders and a midfielder. Zirkzee is currently away with the Netherlands at Euro 2024, having received a late call-up to Ronald Koeman’s squad.

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The Telegraph says despite his inclusion, the player’s agents are in talks with United over a move. It says the club have other options on the table but are admirers of the 23-year-old attacker, who also registered seven assists in his 37 matches last term.

Ratcliffe is expected to sanction sales this summer in a bid to drum up funds for other transfer targets with, Everton duo Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana of interest, as is Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba.

One of those expected to exit is Casemiro. The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia over the last few months after an underwhelming year. However, a proposed deal to the Pro League has fallen through, according to Sport 1 journalist Christopher Michel.

Al-Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, has been the team linked most with Casemiro amid speculation that the Portugal superstar had urged his club to make an approach for the 32-year-old.

Casemiro arrived at Old Trafford on a five-year contract in August 2022 for an initial £60m. After a fruitful first season, the former Real Madrid star struggled during his second year in Manchester, albeit did still start 24 of his 25 Premier League appearances.