New Man United signing once had trial at Everton without his club's permission - report

Manchester United’s new signing Joshua Zirkzee once underwent a trial at Everton without permission from Feyenoord, according to The Athletic.

The online source reported [26 July] that the Dutch forward was just 16 years of age when attempting to force his way out of the Netherlands, lining up with Anthony Gordon against Academy Pandev at an Under-19s tournament.

The 23-year-old eventually got his move away from the Eredivisie, joining Bayern Munich, before switching to Bologna in the Serie A in 2022, where he has impressed massively since.

Everton had early chance to sign Joshua Zirkzee

If the Toffees had foreseen Zirkzee’s transformation and development in the game, they would have likely snapped him up straight away at the age of 16.

That interest did remain, however, with the Toffees wanting to sign the player in 2021 [Fabrizio Romano].

While his move to the Bundesliga never worked out, he was able to impress during a loan spell with Anderlecht during the 2021/22 season, where he notched 18 goals and 13 assists in 47 matches.

His form has only continued amid a move to Bologna in 2022, racking up another 14 goals and nine assists in 58 appearances, prompting interest from all over Europe.

Given the current striker issues facing the Toffees, Sean Dyche’s side might have wished that the club made different decisions when Zirkzee first came for his trial.

It seems unlikely that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be at Goodison Park once the 2024/25 campaign kicks off. With only Sheffield United scoring fewer Premier League goals last term, it could be time for a change.

However, the club will need much better reinforcement than Beto, who has scored five goals in 37 appearances since arriving from Udinese last summer.

Of course, Zirkzee would have been the perfect youngster to bring through the ranks, and if the Everton hierarchy had the power of hindsight, his signature would have been snapped up almost instantly.

In other Everton news, a “difficult” Kalvin Phillips stance has been shared as transfer links emerge at Goodison Park.

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