Juventus are keeping tabs on Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee as a possible replacement for Dusan Vlahovic
Manchester United fans filled the summer of 2024 with excitement when Joshua Zirkzee joined the club from Bologna for £36.5 million. He arrived at Old Trafford on a five-year contract with an option for an additional year and raised expectations from the moment he signed. The Dutch striker made his debut memorable by scoring the winning goal in the Premier League opener against Fulham.
Throughout the season, he registered seven goals and two assists in 49 appearances. A hamstring injury in April 2025 left his season incomplete. However, his unexpected return against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final left supporters emotional. Meanwhile, Manchester United are eyeing Portuguese star Ruben Neves, and that news has made the club’s transfer strategy even more exciting.
Juventus’ interest and Zirkzee’s situation:
Tuttosport has provided a big update on the future of Joshua Zirkzee. They have claimed that Dusan Vlahovic is ready to leave the Serie A giants for free next summer, and hence they need a perfect profile who can replace the giant striker. In that scenario, the Turin-based club are looking at Zirkzee as the option to replace to Serbian international.
Juventus are keeping tabs on Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee as a possible replacement for Dusan Vlahovic.
It seems Zirkzee’s future at Manchester United has generated considerable debate
Juventus general manager Damien Comolli is also keeping tabs on the situation of the Dutch striker, and the report has also claimed that Ruben Amorim is not considering him the main striker in the presence of Benjamin Sesko. Fans will be in a dilemma with this report. On one hand, they clearly see Zirkzee’s talent. On the other hand, they continue to question his place in the team.
What is in store for the Dutch striker?
This situation feels particularly sensitive. The club spent £36.5 million on the 24-year-old last year, and he provided several memorable moments in his debut season. However, injuries and limited impact have sparked debate over whether he truly fits into Amorim’s plans. If Juventus make a big offer next summer, the board will have to consider it. They will then decide whether selling him would benefit the club. Benjamin Sesko’s presence also plays a key role, as both fans and coaches now see him as the main striker. His strength and pace suit Amorim’s system well, and that naturally reduces Zirkzee’s role.
The challenge for the 24-year-old is that he may feature mostly as a substitute. His versatility, whether playing on the wing or dropping back to help build attacks, gives him flexibility, but Sesko’s presence almost permanently occupies the central role.
If Manchester United do not sell Rasmus Hojlund permanently after his loan to Napoli, three big strikers will compete for space at Old Trafford. Such a scenario could cause frustration among players and negatively affect their market value. The club will then have to decide whether selling or sending someone out on loan is the best option.
Why do Juventus want him?
One of the main reasons Juventus are interested in Zirkzee is his playing style. Vlahovic is a traditional number nine striker who focuses on scoring goals inside the box. Zirkzee, on the other hand, pulls defenders out of position, holds up the ball effectively, and involves teammates. These qualities fit well with Juventus’ current strategy. His dribbling and link-up play are better than both Vlahovic’s and Hojlund’s, which probably explains why the Italian giants want to include him in their plans.
Meanwhile, another piece of news has caught attention: Manchester United are keen to beat Liverpool and Chelsea to Barcelona prodigy Pedro Fernandez. This shows that the board is constantly looking for young talent to keep the team’s attacking strength secure for the long term. Meanwhile, United are also targeting Ruben Neves.
Overall, the Zirkzee story remains unfinished. United must decide whether to integrate him fully into Amorim’s system or respond positively to an offer from a club like Juventus. Fans face this dilemma directly because they admire Zirkzee’s talent. At the same time, they worry about the team’s future balance. This situation is certain to fuel many debates in the coming months.