AC Milan exited the race for Joshua Zirkzee earlier this week, and today, it seems his move to Manchester United has been finalised, with the Red Devils paying more than the release clause.
If anyone needed a reminder about the cruelty of the mercato, look no further than this saga. For months, Zirkzee has seemed destined to take the reigns that were left by Olivier Giroud, but now, that dream has passed.
Following a dispute with Kia Joorabchian, the Dutchman’s agent, over the commissions required to make a deal happen, Milan pulled out of the deal, and the Manchester outfit pounced.
In the Rossoneri’s eyes, they have stuck to their word about the club not being a payday and refused to pay the €15 million commission, even after attempts to change the workings of a deal, such as including Zirkzee’s brother in the negotiations.
As Fabrizio Romano (via Milan News) has reported, the announcement of the deal seems imminent now, with the report suggesting that the move has been completed. However, the Red Devils have paid over the odds for the striker.
Zirkzee’s release clause stood at €40m, but the report suggests that a higher fee has been paid, allowing Manchester United to use a different schedule of payments.