Manchester United target Joshua Zirkzee revealed that he was once offered a contract by Everton.

Erik ten Hag’s side are reportedly interested in the 23-year-old Bologna striker and talks with his representatives are apparently ongoing. However, United’s interest in the Dutch star is not the first time a Premier League club has eyed up Zirkzee, with the young forward previously opening up about how close he was to joining the Toffees in 2017 after being on trial at Goodison Park.

“Everton was a serious option for me,” Zirkzee told Voetbal International in 2020. “Ronald Koeman was coach, Romelu Lukaku left for Manchester United that summer and I got the feeling from Everton that there was a good chance I could really become something there. They even offered me a contract whilst I was on trial.”

However, a switch to Merseyside never materialised once Bayern Munich swooped for the teenager. The promising youngster said the idea of following in the footsteps of Bayern legend Robert Lewandowski was part of the reason for snubbing the Blues in favour of the Bundesliga.

Zirkzee made the move to Munich in the summer of 2017 from the Feyenoord academy and was promoted to the first team by then Bayern coach, Hansi Flick in November 2019. However, the youngster was then loaned to Italian side Parma and then Belgian outfit Anderlecht before joining Bologna on a permanent deal for €8.5m in 2022.

Zirkzee has thrived in his time in Italy scoring 11 league goals and providing five assists as they qualified for Champions League for the first time. The forward was also called up to Ronald Koeman’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024 and was an unused substitute in the Netherlands’ 2-1 victory over Poland on Sunday.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the young Dutch star is said to be one of three options on United’s shortlist of players they fancy to bolster their attacking ranks. As per The Athletic, Zirkzee’s contract includes a €40million (£34m) release clause that could make a move for Zirkzee relatively simple, however discussions between the two clubs would still need to take place.

Lille’s Jonathan David and Brentford’s Ivan Toney are also on Ten Hag’s radar as ten Hag looks to swell United’s attack for next season.