Leaving The Netherlands After Being Eliminated By England At Euro 2024, Joshua Zirkzee Immediately Took A Medical Test At MU

Manchester United recruited Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna. (X/@OnsOranje)

JAKARTA - Dutch forward Joshua Zirkee did not wait long after failing to qualify for the Euro 2024 final. After the Netherlands was eliminated by England in the semifinals, Zirkee immediately flew to undergo a medical test at Manchester United.

Just 24 hours after the Netherlands surrendered 2-1 against England at the BVB Stadium, Dortmund, Thursday, 11 July 2024 in the morning WIB, Zirkzee was already in Manchester City. The 23-year-old player underwent a test after his club, Bologna, reached an agreement with MU.

MU does not need to redeem the player's release clause when attracting Zirkzie. However, the Red Devils had to spend 34 million pounds or approximately 709 billion rupiah to buy players who scored 11 goals during last season's 34 Italian Serie A matches.

However, Manchester Evening News wrote that the price that MU had to pay was 36 million euros. The figure is indeed higher than the player's release clause.

However, the winner of the FA Cup does not need to pay cash for Zirkzee purchases. Bologna agreed with payments through several three-year terms.

Zirkzee's success in defeating AC Milan is actually also interested in bringing him. Finally, Milan decided to resign after failing to reach a personal agreement and the amount of commission for agents.

Zirkzee himself will receive a long-term contract from MU if he completes a medical test. This English Premier League elite club awarded him a five-year contract with the option of an extension of one year for him.

MU's first recruitment this season has indeed gone smoothly. Even the plan was almost realized when the Dutch met England in the semifinals of Euro 2024.

After the match, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo immediately approached Zirkzie and greeted him. They had a chance to talk for a moment so that there was speculation among British fans that Mainoo would welcome Bayern Munich's former striker.

Zirkzee is also believed to have no trouble adapting to his new club. How not, Erik ten Hag's team, who also came from the Netherlands and achieved success when dealing with Ajax Amsterdam.

Not only that, he will be handled directly by former Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy who has defended United for five years, 2001 to 2006.

Upon signing a contract with MU, Zirkzee will be given a short vacation. The reason is that he already has to join the team to take part in pre-season in the United States.

Zirkzee began to pay attention when Dutch coach Ronald Koeman called him at the last moment of the announcement of the official Euro 2024 squad.

Zirkzee entered the Oranje team after being crossed out by Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners who were still injured and failed to recover on time.

He made his debut in the Netherlands' 2-1 win over Turkey in the quarter-finals of the Euros. Zirkzee became the third Dutch player to make his European Cup debut after Martien Vreijsen (Euro 1980) and Cody Gakpo (2020).