Manchester United making progress in deal for significant signing with timeline set for transfer

Manchester United are continuing to make progress in their deal to sign striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.

Zirkzee has a €40million (£33m) release clause and United are optimistic of concluding a deal later this month.

The 23-year-old made his first appearance at the European Championship for the Netherlands in their quarter-final victory against Turkey on Saturday. The Netherlands face England in the semi-finals on Wednesday and the final is on Sunday.

The Manchester Evening News reported last week United's prospective deal for Zirkzee could rise to £46m with agents' fees. Sources in Italy have said United could spend up to £13m in commission to secure a deal.

United want a striker to support Rasmus Hojlund after Anthony Martial was released. Zirkzee scored 12 goals in 37 games for Bologna as they qualified for the Champions League last season.

READ MORE: United set to make 90% loss on Van de Beek ahead of Girona transfer

EXCLUSIVE: United's plan for Sancho's return to Carrington

Zirkzee is represented by the Sports Invest UK agency that is run by Kia Joorabchian, who was blamed by Sir Alex Ferguson for not making Carlos Tevez's two-year loan a permanent move in 2009.

Even though United have installed a new technical director in Jason Wilcox and appointed Dan Ashworth as their inaugural sporting director, they are continuing to target players familiar to manager Erik ten Hag. United have signed eight players who were born, or played, in the Netherlands under Ten Hag and Zirkzee moved to the Bayern Munich academy from Feyenoord in 2018.

Ten Hag is keen to reunite with former Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, who Bayern Munich are prepared to sell for £42m. United hosted De Ligt's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, at their