How Man Utd could aid Celtic in striker hunt this January

Tom Weber

• 23 Dec 2025 03:45 CST
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Manchester United agreeing to offload Joshua Zirkzee to AS Roma could aid Celtic in securing the signing of Evan Ferguson.

Netherlands international Zirkzee has greenlit a return to Italy, having failed to have much of an impact at Old Trafford since joining from Bologna in the summer of 2024.

The 24-year-old is determined to be part of Ronald Koeman's squad for the World Cup next year and, as such, is keen to play regularly. Roma are offering the chance to do exactly that, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini promising the forward that he would be an immediate starter.

Reports in Italy suggested on Monday that Roma are offering a sizeable €40 million package to secure Zirkzee's signature, although he would initially join the Serie A giants on loan.

Discussions are advancing, but there is still some uncertainty surrounding Man Utd's stance on the Dutchman. Ideally, Ruben Amorim would like to keep his squad together, and he is particularly reluctant to lose players early in the window due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Man Utd to send Ferguson to Celtic?

Ultimately, then, Zirkzee's move will depend on whether or not Man Utd believe that the financial windfall is worth the risk of potentially being left shorthanded in the second half of the season.

Should they approve of his transfer, it would have the knock-on effect of Evan Ferguson potentially becoming available. Gasperini has made it abundantly clear that he is unconvinced by the Brighton loanee.

Discussions over a return to the South Coast have taken place. Brighton will be without Stefanos Tzimas for the foreseeable future, so they have an open spot for a forward, but like Gasperini, Fabian Hurzeler has yet to be wowed by the Irishman.

It would therefore not come as a shock if Ferguson were made available for another loan, which is where Celtic come into the equation. The Hoops desperately need a striker, and the young forward is a boyhood fan.

Ferguson has the profile to potentially dominate the Scottish Premiership, so it is unsurprising that there have been tentative links with the forward. He could be a game-changer for Wilfried Nancy.

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