After Scott McTominay took to Serie A like a duck to water, Antonio Conte has begun perusing Manchester United’s squad to see if he can sanction any more arrivals from the club.
Alas, the coach has reportedly landed on a player who already boasts two years’ worth of experience in the Italian top flight: Joshua Zirkzee.
Il Mattino claims Conte has given his ‘green light’ for the Napoli board to try and strike up a deal for Zirkzee as early as January amid speculation the Dutchman is open to returning to the league this winter. The Naples outfit were in the mix for him before the season began before he ultimately sealed a move to Old Trafford, where the forward has endured a tumultuous beginning.
The Dutch international, who earns a reported £105,000 per week, got off to a dream start in red when he scored the winning goal on the opening day of the Premier League campaign in front of the Stretford End. However, he has since been able to add only two more goals to his account in his subsequent 20 appearances.
Zirkzee’s uncertain United future
Joshua Zirkzee celebrates his goal vs Everton.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Before Zirkzee notched a brace against Everton on December 1, Manchester Evening News revealed he was being deemed something of a ‘lost cause’ by INEOS chiefs. It was suggested that if his form did not improve significantly in the coming matches, he was at risk of being offloaded either on loan in January or permanently at the end of his maiden season.
As for Napoli’s rumoured pursuit, Conte is looking to bolster his options for the second half of the term after a stellar start, with ex-Red Scott McTominay being influential throughout. The side sit second-placed in the league and only two points behind leaders Atalanta, with the Carrington graduate boasting three goals and two assists in 12 appearances thus far.
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