Everton have submitted a bid worth €10m (£8.9m) for top transfer target Joshua Zirkzee, according to Sky Germany [via HITC].
The offer is said to have been matched by Serie A side Parma, with Zirkzee receptive to both destinations. The Netherlands under-21 international’s lack of a distinct preference between the two clubs places the ball in Bayern Munich’s court, with the Bundesliga and Champions League title holders set to decide the best destination for the youngster. [Sky Germany via HITC]
Both clubs were previously touted as loan destinations as Bayern looked to hold onto their young talent, but it now looks as if negotiations have focused on an eventual permanent transfer.
A caveat was added in a tweet from Sky Germany reporter Max Bielefeld which claimed that Everton and Parma both an initial six-month loan deal with an option or obligation to buy Zirkzee for the aforementioned fee. The two clubs are reportedly in “a straight” race for the youngster.
Update Zirkzee: It's a straight race between Everton and Parma, according to Sky sources. Both made a formal bid of over 10m€ for the player (loan + option/obligation). Player would be happy with both options. Now @FCBayern has to take a decision #TransferUpdate pic.twitter.com/7rhDYuK1jF
— Max Bielefeld (@Sky_MaxB) January 26, 2021
At just 19 years of age, Zirkzee has already scored four goals for Bayern in 17 first team appearances for the club.
Everton director of football Marcel Brands may hold familiarity with the youngster, given that he held a post with Dutch outfit Feyenoord when Zirkzee was coming through their youth setup.
Read Everton Verdict
The prospect of reuniting with Brands under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti is a tempting lure in its own right, and developing under the Everton manager could be an important boon in Zirkzee’s mind.
However, questions must be raised over his prospects of regular football were he to move to Goodison Park. Dominic Calvert-Lewin recently returned to action in the 3-0 demolition of Sheffield Wednesday and is the Toffees’ top scorer by some distance.
Zirkzee would likely have more of a fight for senior minutes at Everton than Parma, and that could scupper a deal from the Merseyside club.
