Manchester United 'send scouts to watch Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee'

The 22-year-old endured a challenging debut campaign with Bologna last season, but he has since developed into one of the most prolific strikers in Serie A this term.

Indeed, Zirkzee has contributed with 11 goals and six assists in 29 appearances across all competitions this season, including 10 strikes and four assists in the top flight to help Bologna climb into the top four and challenge for Champions League qualification.

Zirkzee's performances are understood to have caught the eye of several top European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, including Man United, who are known to be on the hunt for a new centre-forward.

The Red Devils allegedly considered making a bid for the Dutchman during the January transfer window, but a move ultimately failed to materialise.

Now, Tuttosport claims that Man United had scouts in attendance at Gewiss Stadium to watch Zirkzee score a penalty in Bologna's 2-1 victory away against Atalanta BC in Serie A last Sunday.

The report adds that representatives of Premier League rivals Arsenal watched Zirkzee score the winner in a 2-1 away victory over Lazio at Stadio Olimpico two weeks earlier.

Zirkzee is under contract at Bologna until June 2026 and the Rossoblu are believed to value their star striker in excess of €60m (£51.3m).

However, Zirkzee's former club Bayern are said to have inserted a 50% sell-on clause in his Bologna deal when they sold the striker in August 2022, while they also possess the option to buy him back for €40m (£34.2m).

Earlier this week, Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge talked up the qualities of Zirkzee and refused to rule out the possibility of the club