Former Chelsea player and manager Ruud Gullit thinks West Ham transfer target Joshua Zirkzee should “go back to Italy” if he leaves Manchester United in the New Year.
The forward has not started a single game for the Red Devils this season, and he is reportedly looking for a move away from Old Trafford when the transfer window reopens. When asked by Metro about his fellow Dutchman’s predicament, Gullit said:
“I think from my point of view that he should have stayed in Italy, because he was really striving. He was really doing well at Bologna, and I was hoping that he would go to Milan. I think that as soon as he went to Manchester United, it was the wrong decision.”
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“I mean, for a lot of players, moving to Manchester United has been the wrong decision. And whoever leaves them, plays well everywhere around Europe. I just hope that there’s a solution for him.”
“Go back to Italy on loan if you can. Just play football. He’s a good player. But at the moment, it’s difficult at Manchester United.”
West Ham are hoping to snap up the striker
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has recently confirmed that Zirkzee is on a “shortlist” of targets that the Irons are looking at ahead of January.
Roma are also believed to be in the mix, but a lot still hinges on whether Man United boss Ruben Amorim is willing to sanction the 24-year-old’s departure.
Both Zirkzee and his teammate Kobbie Mainoo are in the same situation, with both hoping to go out on loan to get more first-team football
Are there any alternatives to Zirkzee?
With Niclas Fullkrug seemingly on his way out of the London Stadium, the top priority for the next transfer window has to be a new No.9.
That means that even if West Ham miss out on Zirkzee, they will need to have other options lined up so they are not short on numbers up front.
Saint-Etienne’s Lucas Stassin is a name that has resurfaced in recent days, while Club Brugge’s Romeo Vermant and Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus could also come under consideration.
Read more about the West Ham First Team Squad for 2025/26 here