Joshua Zirkzee Says He Nearly Signed for Everton Before Bayern Munich Move

Bayern Munich rising star Joshua Zirkzee has said he almost signed for Everton before completing his 2017 switch to the Bundesliga champions.

The forward has impressed during his two-year journey through Bayern's system and is now knocking on the door of the starting XI.

However, Zirkzee has revealed to Voetbal International (via Sean Lunt of Sport Witness) he nearly ended up at Goodison Park before his move from Feyenoord's academy.

"Everton was a serious option for me.

"Ronald Koeman was the first team coach at the time, and I didn’t have a lot of strikers in front of me at the time.

"Romelu Lukaku left for Manchester United that summer and I got the feeling from Everton that there was a good chance I could move on there.

"When I was there, they immediately offered me a contract."

Zirkzee made a sensational debut for Bayern as the 18-year-old scored with his first touch after rising from the bench against Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Dec. 8. 

The Dutchman replaced Philippe Coutinho in the final minute with the score 1-1, and his immediate effort was followed by a Serge Gnabry goal, giving the champions a vital 3-1 win in stoppage time.

It was a fairytale start for Zirkzee under interim coach Hansi Flick, with former Netherlands international Youri Mulder describing the teenager as "a serious talent."

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Zirkzee's two substitute appearances have totalled eight minutes, but the forward scored again in the 2-0 league win over Wolfsburg, finding the back of the net after being on the pitch for two minutes.

Both times the player replaced Coutinho, and the starlet will continue to be an impact sub this term as Bayern chase their 30th Bundesliga crown.