GdS: Commission ‘crusade’ and Man Utd see Milan lose pole in Zirkzee hunt | OneFootball

AC Milan have gone from being on the verge of signing Joshua Zirkzee to now being behind in the race and there are a few reasons why, a report claims.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport writes, Zirkzee’s €40m release clause can now be activated but the striker is currently in Germany for the European Championship, called up by Ronald Koeman at the last minute after Brobbey’s injury.

While he continues to remain an unused substitute for his country, he will be thinking about his future at club level. Milan and his agent Kia Joorabchian have not spoken since it was made clear that the €15m demand for commissions will remain, a figure deemed unacceptable.

The Rossoneri – under the guidance of Elliott Management and RedBird Capital – have conducted a sort of crusade against agents who they see as being greedy. Commissions are part of the game (and are budgeted for), but within a certain limit.

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Bologna are obviously an obligatory spectator in all of this and their CEO Sartori has already made it clear that the Dutchman is ‘99.9%’ sure to leave, and in a certain sense Joorabchian has also put himself on the sidelines.

The gist is very simple: it is unlikely, very unlikely that he will go to meet Milan, and even if he were to do so it is not like the gap is easy to bridge. Therefore, he is waiting to see which club is willing to accept his requests.

Manchester United have emerged as the frontrunners and they are not last-minute contenders but in recent weeks they have been following things closely. Things could yet turn, especially when Zirkzee returns from the European Championship.

The player has never made a secret of putting Milan, and staying in Serie A, at the top of his list of preferences. However, Premier League has a certain charm and they have deep pockets.