Joshua Zirkzee started just one of Michael Carrick’s 17 games last season and Juventus are keen to sign him as the Manchester United star looks set to leave Old Trafford.
Joshua Zirkzee wants to leave Manchester United (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Manchester United are in talks with Juventus to sign Joshua Zirkzee on loan with an option to buy for £30m. Zirksee, 25, has found himself out of favor at Old Trafford after Michael Carrick’s arrival last season failed to change his fortunes.
Carrick started just one of the 17 games he managed, but the striker missed out on the Netherlands’ 26-man squad for the World Cup. Zirksee scored just two goals last season, most recently against relegation-bound Wolves in December.
Juventus are focusing on Zirkzee after their bid to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani fell through. The Sun reports that Juve are leading the race to sign him, with fellow Italian giants Roma also showing interest.
It is understood Zirksee is keen to return to Serie A. The former Bayern Munich star scored 14 goals and provided eight assists in 58 appearances for Bologna, convincing United to pay £36.5m to sign him in 2024.
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Zirksee impressed in United’s second pre-season friendly on Friday. He scored a great solo goal and also recorded an assist in a 5-0 win over Rosenborg in Norway.
However, his departure leaves United short on striker options. Benjamin Sesco is the only senior centre-forward in Carrick’s squad, but there have been hints that he could sign an experienced back-up.
Marcus Rashford, who returned from a season-long loan to Barcelona, could also play this role. Midfield and goalkeeping are areas where United have done business so far, with three signings for a total of £85m.
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Joshua Zirkzee scored and provided an assist as Manchester United defeated Rosenborg 5-0 (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Dutch legend Ruud Gullit previously urged Zirkzee to leave Old Trafford and return to Serie A. “Joshua Zirkzee made a mistake in moving to Manchester United. He should have stayed in Italy,” Galitto told Gambling Insider.
“When he left Bologna, he should have gone to Juventus or AC Milan and stayed in Serie A. He came to United at a time when there was a lot of bad energy around the club. It was the wrong time for him.”
“There were rumors that he might leave United for Roma in the summer. I hope he makes that move or at least joins another club in Italy because Italy is a better league for him.”
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