Joshua Zirkzee sees limited playing time at Manchester United, overshadowed by Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. He could join Roma on loan; the Giallorossi coach had previously targeted him for Atalanta.
Following an initial visit on Wednesday, Dan Friedkin returned to Trigoria yesterday for more strategic discussions. While his first day involved greetings and observing team training, yesterday`s focus shifted to the feasibility of various operations. These included commercial negotiations for a new sponsor with Michael Gandler and, crucially, transfer market plans to appease Gian Piero Gasperini by January. Among the players being scouted at Trigoria, an intriguing idea has surfaced: Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch forward, who shone brightly at Bologna, has been with Manchester United for over a year but has struggled to replicate his earlier form with the Red Devils.
Current Situation
For the January transfer window, Roma is seeking a forward, either a pure central striker or a left-sided attacking midfielder. The final decision will largely hinge on upcoming matches, specifically how Dovbyk performs and the impact Bailey has on the team. However, Joshua Zirkzee remains an independently appealing option, as he can play effectively both as a central striker and a supporting forward. The Dutchman is currently not in an optimal situation, in fact, quite the opposite.
Time in England
Zirkzee joined Manchester United in the summer of 2024 for a fee of €42.5 million (€26 million to Bologna, the remainder to Bayern Munich). His first season, much like United`s overall performance, was not exceptional, despite him featuring somewhat regularly, albeit interrupted by a thigh muscle injury towards the end. This year, however, the situation has worsened: in United`s first 9 matches, Zirkzee has made only 4 appearances, none as a starter, accumulating just 82 minutes. He has frequently been benched, making way for Matheus Cunha (7 appearances, 0 goals) and Benjamin Sesko (8 appearances, 2 goals), as well as new signing Bryan Mbeumo (8 appearances, 2 goals). This reduction in playing time comes despite the departure of another significant competitor, Rasmus Hojlund, who moved to Napoli.
The Future Prospects
This is the primary reason Zirkzee wants to leave Manchester United, also to avoid jeopardizing his chances of playing in the upcoming World Cup, especially since Dutch coach Ronald Koeman omitted him from the latest national squad. The player has already instructed his agent to find him a new club for January, even if it`s a loan move. This prospect is highly appealing to Roma, particularly given the club`s current financial situation. It could bring in a player who is familiar with Italian football, versatile in two attacking roles, and relatively inexpensive. His salary at Manchester United is €3.6 million plus bonuses; with half the season already passed, Roma would effectively need to cover approximately €1.8 million. Furthermore, Gian Piero Gasperini had already shown interest in Zirkzee last January when he was at Atalanta, dealing with Scamacca`s long recovery and Retegui`s injury. While other English clubs like West Ham and Everton (both also owned by the Friedkin group) are interested, the idea strongly excites Roma`s management. With the situation at United unlikely to change soon, Zirkzee has already made his decision to leave as soon as possible, as early as January, and Roma is keenly observing the situation.
