Juventus Seeks Joshua Zirkzee Amid Manchester United Struggles
Joshua Zirkzee’s Manchester United career is drifting, and Juventus are moving quickly to catch him before it sinks completely.
The 25-year-old Dutch forward, once billed as a long-term No9 at Old Trafford, has slipped down the pecking order after starting just five Premier League games under Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick last season. Confidence has ebbed away, minutes have dried up, and a squad role has replaced the promise of a starring one.
In Turin, they see an opportunity.
Juventus pivot from Kolo Muani to Zirkzee
Juventus had initially set their sights on Randal Kolo Muani, believing the France international was the answer to their attacking rebuild after his underwhelming loan spell at Tottenham. Talks with Paris Saint-Germain dragged on, though, and then stalled. The fee became a problem, the pace of negotiations even more so.
Time was slipping, and Juventus knew it. With Dusan Vlahovic gone on a free transfer and Jonathan David struggling badly in front of goal — just six strikes in 35 Serie A appearances last season — they could not afford another delay.
So they turned, sharply and decisively, to Zirkzee.
Juventus are now leading the chase to sign the United striker on loan with a £30 million option to buy. Roma retain a long-standing interest in the forward, but the Turin club have moved with far greater urgency and are currently viewed as favourites for his signature.
A familiar league, a better fit
For Zirkzee, the move makes sense on several levels. He knows Serie A well. He spent a season on loan at Parma and then two more years with Bologna, experiences that helped shape his game and his understanding of Italian football’s tactical demands.
He sees the league as a far better fit for his style than the Premier League. At United he has never truly settled, scoring just nine goals in 75 appearances and struggling to establish any rhythm or authority in the side. Behind Benjamin Sesko and Mateus Cunha in the striking hierarchy, and with Marcus Rashford potentially returning to the squad, his path to regular football at Old Trafford looks increasingly blocked.
No wonder the Allianz Stadium appeals. Zirkzee is understood to be keen on the move and views Juventus as the right step at this stage of his career.
United ready to cut their losses
Manchester United, for their part, are prepared to be pragmatic. They paid around £36.5m to bring Zirkzee to the club in 2024, but are now willing to accept a loan with a £30m option to buy.
Inside the club, there is an acknowledgement that the proposed figure reflects his current value. He has not delivered the consistency expected when he arrived, and with other forwards ahead of him, a clean break — or at least the possibility of one — suits all parties.
Zirkzee’s representatives have already responded positively to Juventus’ approach, and talks have accelerated as the Italian side look to secure a new No9 before the season’s demands close in.
Juventus need goals. Zirkzee needs a stage. If this deal goes through, we will soon find out whether Serie A can once again give him the platform that England never quite did.
