Man United are 'very close' to agreeing £34m deal for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee - with Red Devils also linked with a surprise move for Chelsea left back Ben Chilwell

Manchester United are expected to meet Joshua Zirkzee’s £34million release clause in the coming days with talks over a move for the Bologna forward at an advanced stage.

Discussions over United’s swoop for the Netherlands striker have moved forward in the last 24 hours with an agreement now described as ‘very close’.

The 23-year-old has emerged as a key target for United this summer and talks have been ongoing for several weeks with the Old Trafford side now ready to meet the player’s buy-out fee.

AC Milan have also shown an interest in Zirkzee, while Bologna have also tried to convince the 6ft 4ins forward to extend.

But United are in pole position to land the former Bayern Munich player.

United are holding a recruitment meeting today as they look to push ahead with other deals.

With deals lined up with Zirkzee and Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt, they will also determine whether to put forward another bid for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.

Mail Sport understands that Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell is also among the options they are considering as they look for competition for Luke Shaw.

They also want to recoup funds and midfielder Donny van de Beek is joining Girona for around £450,000 with add-ons up to £16m and a sell-on clause.

The 27-year-old cost United £35m when he arrived from Ajax in 2020. United are also awaiting further contact from Marseille, Lazio, and Juventus for Mason Greenwood.

Some of the squad are due to return for pre-season training today and are expected to be joined by new assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy who is in England ahead of signing a two-year contract.

The former United striker is understood to have already spoken to compatriot Zirkzee.