Juventus pursue Zirkzee
Juventus have reportedly intensified their efforts to sign Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee. The Serie A club has made contact with the Dutch forward’s representatives, exploring him as a serious option in the transfer market. This move comes as negotiations for other attacking targets, such as Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain, have reportedly stalled.
According to reports, Juventus remains in discussions with PSG for Kolo Muani but has not yet reached an agreement. With that pursuit proving difficult, the Turin club has reopened talks regarding Zirkzee. Initial contact has reportedly been made with the player’s camp, and his estimated annual salary is not expected to be a major hurdle for Juventus.
This is not the first time Juventus has shown interest in Zirkzee. The club reportedly attempted to sign him in the summer of 2024 and again during the January transfer window earlier this year, though neither approach progressed. Ricky Massara, the new Juventus sporting director, previously tried to bring Zirkzee to Roma and remains an admirer of the forward.
Manchester United’s stance on transfer
Manchester United is understood to value Zirkzee at between €35 million and €40 million. The Premier League club may now be willing to consider more flexible deal structures, a shift from their previous stance of insisting on a permanent transfer or a loan with a mandatory purchase clause. This change could increase Juventus’ chances of reaching an agreement before the new Serie A season commences.
During the January transfer window, Manchester United had rejected loan proposals for Zirkzee. However, recent reports suggest the club might be more open to creative arrangements if they can secure a permanent transfer close to their valuation. This potential flexibility from Manchester United could be a key factor in any upcoming negotiations.
Zirkzee’s future at Old Trafford has been uncertain, particularly after a challenging period during the 2025/26 campaign. He struggled to establish himself, making 24 Premier League appearances but accumulating only 609 league minutes. This limited playing time, coupled with competition for attacking roles, also impacted his international prospects, as he missed out on selection for the Netherlands national team.
Player performance and future prospects
Zirkzee’s reputation was built before his arrival in England. During the 2023/24 campaign with Bologna, he had a strong season, scoring 12 goals and providing 7 assists in 37 appearances. These performances earned him regular call-ups to the Netherlands national team and attracted interest from several major European clubs.
However, his form has not reached those levels since moving to Manchester United, leading to increased speculation about a potential departure. Zirkzee is reportedly keen on securing more regular first-team minutes, which explains the ongoing discussions about a possible return to Italy. He has been linked with clubs such as AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, and Roma.
Despite the transfer speculation, a move is not guaranteed. With Benjamin Sesko currently sidelined due to injury, Manchester United may decide to retain Zirkzee as additional cover while manager Michael Carrick assesses his attacking options for the upcoming season. Juventus is expected to continue talks for both Kolo Muani and Zirkzee in the coming weeks as they finalise their attacking plans.
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Source: footballplace.co.uk