West Ham United are the only Premier League club interested in signing Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee during the January transfer window, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (page 13, Romana edition).
The Netherlands international has endured a tough time with the Red Devils since arriving from Bologna last year. He has become a fringe player this campaign, and has been a regular on the bench with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko preferred to lead the line.
He is now actively pushing for a winter exit in order to push for a World Cup berth under Ronald Koeman next summer, and Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini is a big admirer of the Bayern Munich graduate.
Zirkzee is one of the players under the Giallorossi’s consideration ahead of the New Year. The striker would prefer to restart his career in Serie A with the Rome outfit, but his agent Kia Joorabchian could act as a potential roadblock.
Joorabchian obviously prefers his client to stay in the Premier League due to financial reasons. As things stand, the Hammers are the only English club interested in signing the 24-year-old from the Red Devils at the turn of the year.
Zirkzee could end up at West Ham
The Red Devils made a big outlay of £36 million to sign the Dutchman from Bologna in July 2024.
He made the perfect start with a winning goal off the bench against Fulham, but has managed just two goals and two assists from his subsequent 35 league appearances.
Zirkzee has obviously not been helped by the lack of regular game time. The striker has averaged just 41 minutes per game during his time in the Premier League.
With the World Cup coming up next summer, Zirkzee appears keen on moving on, but United are unlikely to entertain his exit at the current point in time, in our view.
Benjamin Sesko recently suffered a knee injury and could be sidelined for a few games. Cunha is the immediate deputy for manager Ruben Amorim, but he may want some backup.
If Sesko is fit to play again soon, United may still seek to recoup the funds spent on Zirkzee to entertain a mid-season sale. Roma have faced numerous financial difficulties in recent years.
They are unlikely to pay almost a club-record fee to land Zirkzee (record stands at £36.8m) and could explore a loan deal with a possible option to purchase at the end of the season.
On the other hand, the Hammers could be prepared to spend plenty on a marksman. They could back their new manager Nuno Espirito Santo with a big-money striker acquisition to beat the drop.
West Ham have also been linked with Kobbie Mainoo in recent weeks, but it has been reported that the Englishman would prefer a move to Serie A with reigning champions Napoli, likely on loan.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com