Man Utd striker plan draws attention as €42.5m signing edges closer to move

News

Matthew Judge | Editor

Manchester United have opened talks with Juventus over a move which could see Joshua Zirkzee leave Old Trafford, according to reports in Italy.

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 make the most of his rare opportunities to shine, scoring just nine goals in 75 appearances in England.

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.

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 deal.

STATS

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Man Utd

Joshua Zirkzee

F (C)

Man Utd

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 26

  Games

• 2

  Goals

• 1

  Assists

View all stats

Gazzetta claims Juventus 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 have already been scouring the market for a striker

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 11 league goals last season.

When Sesko did not lead the line, Carrick often used Bryan Mbeumo through the middle as Zirkzee watched on from the substitutes' bench.

However, Mbeumo is at his best when deployed in his favoured right-wing role, 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 a 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, 45, was handed the United job on a permanent basis in May after an impressive spell as interim manager last season.

The former United midfielder replaced Ruben Amorim in January and inspired the club to a third-place Premier League finish - and subsequent qualification for this season's UEFA Champions League - in 2025-26.