Manchester United are unlikely to be busy in the January transfer window but one player continues to attract interest.
Ruben Amorim may wish that he had a huge budget to bolster his Manchester United squad in January.
United have lost back-to-back games against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, handing Amorim his first major setback.
It’s clear that Amorim has a huge task on his hands at Old Trafford and he would no doubt love to revamp this squad.
That seems unlikely in January given that United spent around £180million on new signings over the summer.
United will have spread that cash out over multiple years but it still means that January signings may be at a premium.
Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on Decembe...
Photo by Stephen White – CameraSport via Getty Images
Antonio Conte asks Napoli to move for Manchester United player
United may need to wheel and deal in order to make new signings under Amorim, whether that comes in January or the summer.
United fans could name a raft of players they would like to see move on but actually finding takers is another matter.
MORE UNITED STORIES
Striker Joshua Zirkzee seemingly isn’t short of admirers though, just months after joining United from Bologna.
United paid around £36million to sign Zirkzee but he has managed just three league goals so far this season.
Juventus have been strongly linked with Zirkzee but they now face competition from a Serie A rival.
Il Mattino report that Napoli boss Antonio Conte has specifically asked transfer chief Giovanni Manna to explore a deal for Zirkzee.
Napoli loaned Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray in August but snapped up former United striker Romelu Lukaku.
Conte now wants another forward though with Napoli sitting second in the Serie A table and chasing another title.
Zirkzee’s history in Serie A with Bologna seemingly makes him a hugely appealing option for Napoli but whether United are open to a deal is another matter.
Joshua Zirkzee leaving in January would be a surprise
Zirkzee has struggled so far but United signed him less than six months ago.
Giving up on Zirkzee would be a huge surprise at this stage, even though Dan Ashworth has already left the club mere months after arriving as sporting director.
Ineos won’t be afraid to pull the plug if they so wish and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is angry with United’s summer spending with Zirkzee’s arrival potentially one to frustrate him.
Amorim wants Viktor Gyokeres in 2025 though and it’s difficult to see Zirkzee, Gyokeres and Rasmus Hojlund all being at the club.
United may be tempted to cash in if Napoli, Juventus or anybody else comes calling at the end of the season, but it’s still difficult to see a January deal materialising.
Reports suggest Zirkzee want to stay at United so Conte and Napoli face something of a battle to get this deal done next month.
Related Posts