CM: Clause active, roadblock, decisive days – the status of Milan’s Zirkzee chase

There are two ways of viewing July 1. Either the fun begins, or you prepare for the worst, and hopefully for AC Milan fans, the former is how the mercato starts and eventually finishes. 

Without a doubt, the story of the summer will be the pursuit of Zirkzee, and in the last metres of a deal, Milan have stumbled, due to bumps in the road, rather than the muddling of their own feet. Those bumps are Manchester United and Kia Joorabchian.

As Calciomercato.com writes, July 1 signifies the opening of the mercato, but it also is the activation date of Zirkzee’s release clause, and it becomes possible for a deal to start materialising, regardless of other positions. This also allows Manchester United to do the same, though, and reports suggest that they will.

Both teams will then be faced with a test, the most difficult one at that. On the face of it currently, there are only two answers. Pay €15 million in commission? Yes, now Zirkzee decides. No, and your decision is made for you.

As we reported last month, other options to lessen the commission are being searched for, and the next few days are vital for this, given Jordan – Joshua’s brother – is now a free agent, so if a deal can be arranged, then it could lessen the commission.

Manchester United have spoken to the Dutchman via Erik ten Hag, and now the decision will be made in days, given neither club nor the player, will want their future to be decided in months.