Man Utd edge closer to sale as €42.5m signing says 'yes' to transfer

Updated: 2 Aug 2026 12:48 BST | 4 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Joshua Zirkzee has moved a step closer to leaving Manchester United after approving a possible move to Juventus, according to reports in Italy.

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Zirkzee joined the Red Devils from Serie A side Bologna for €42.5million (£35.8m) in July 2024, with the striker signing a five-year contract.

However, the 25-year-old has struggled to impress when given a rare opportunity to shine, scoring just nine goals in 75 appearances.

Zirkzee has subsequently been linked with a return to Italy, with various sources claiming Atalanta and Roma were keen to offer an escape route in January.

However, while those moves did not come off, the Netherlands forward has received fresh interest from Juventus, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

And Gazzetta understands Zirkzee has said “yes” to joining the Serie A giants, who will now look to step up their interest in the attacker.

STATS

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Man Utd

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Man Utd

26

Games
2

Goals
1

Assists

The Italian publication understands United are willing to allow Zirkzee to join Juventus on loan, provided an obligation-to-buy clause is included in a prospective deal.

Gazzetta claims Luciano Spalletti's side would prefer a loan with an obligation-to-buy option that can only be triggered if certain criteria has been met.

Yet the same outlet understands the two clubs remain in dialogue and there is optimism an agreement can be found.

United believed to be in the market for Sesko support act

Should United sanction Zirkzee’s departure, it would naturally increase their need to sign a new striker ahead of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

BBC Sport understands Michael Carrick’s side are in the market for a reliable alternative to Benjamin Sesko, who scored a respectable 11 league goals last season.

When Sesko did not lead the line, Carrick often used Bryan Mbeumo through the middle, with Zirkzee remaining on the bench.

However, Mbeumo is at his best when deployed out wide, with the Cameroon star scoring a superb 11 league goals last term.

BBC Sport claims United are also looking to source competition for Matheus Cunha by signing another left winger this summer.

The 20-time league champions have so far signed Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow ahead of Carrick’s first full season in charge.

Carrick was handed the United job on a permanent basis in May after an impressive spell as interim manager last season.

He replaced Ruben Amorim in January and inspired the club to a third-place Premier League finish - and subsequent qualification for the UEFA Champions League - in 2025-26.