Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hailed the in-demand Joshua Zirkzee.

Zirkzee has impressed since joining Serie A side Bologna from Bayern Munich in 2022, with the Dutchman making 23 goal contributions in 58 appearances across all competitions. The 23-year-old has been linked with several clubs this summer, including United and AC Milan.

Zirkzee is said to be on a three-man shortlist of strikers United are looking at following the departure of Anthony Martial, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Lille’s Jonathan David also being considered.

Milan are also interested in signing Zirkzee and Ibrahimovic, who now works as a senior advisor to the club’s owners, recently addressed the links. “Last year Milan made a great transfer market, we needed to lay the foundations,” Ibrahimovic told reporters.

“This market will focus above all on details. After [Olivier] Giroud’s departure, we need a new number 9. [Luka] Jovic is there, but we are looking for a new striker.

“Zirkzee is a strong player, he comes from a great season. He comes from the Netherlands, whether he is another Ibra or not… there is a big difference between reality and what is said and written.

“When we talk about negotiations, we think that a club are under pressure and are trying to exploit the situation. It’s a negotiation, it goes back and forth, it’s not a charity. It has to go well for the club. We’re smart and intelligent, it’s not rock and roll.”

Zirkzee is rumoured to have a £34million release clause in his current contract, but the forward is currently focusing on Euro 2024 after he was called up to the Netherlands squad alongside Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen.

The pair are injury replacements for Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners, who have both been ruled out of the tournament. De Jong has failed to recover from an ankle injury he picked up in March, while Koopmeiners suffered a groin injury ahead of the Netherlands’ warm-up match against Iceland.