A Manchester United star who has barely featured under Ruben Amorim this season has seen his market value take an almighty battering in recent months
Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo
A Manchester United star's value market has nearly halved in the space of just over a year
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Joshua Zirkzee's market value has plummeted since his arrival at Manchester United, falling from £44million to around £25m in just 18 months. The Dutch forward has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, scoring only seven goals in 54 appearances.
This season he has featured just five times - each from the bench - making a January exit increasingly likely. He's expected to leave on loan but it's understood United are open to selling the 24-year-old, providing the price is right.
West Ham were previously linked with a loan move but Everton - who face United on Monday - now appear to have moved ahead in the race for his signature. The Toffees, who are also linked with Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, are seeking greater attacking depth and David Moyes is understood to view Zirkzee as a player who brings a different profile to current options Beto and Thierno Barry.
Asked about the possibility of Zirkzee and fellow outcast Kobbie Mainoo leaving in January, United manager Ruben Amorim offered little, keeping his cards close to his chest. "That [the speculation] is normal and I also know that in our club, everything is a lot of noise, and you have to have news, and players are not playing," he said.
"They want to play. Like you said, there's a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time. So, I understand that but they are our players and we need everyone to have a good season."
Signed from Bologna for £36.5m, Zirkzee arrived at United on the recommendation of Erik ten Hag - who was dismissed only a few months later.
Initially, Zirkzee was intended to serve as backup to first-choice striker Rasmus Hojlund. His link-up play and ability to operate between the lines, however, also gave United a different dynamic in the final third, with the Dutchman capable of playing off the No. 9 as well as leading the line himself.
But Ten Hag's successor, Amorim, quickly implemented a new tactical approach that limited Zirkzee to the central striker role. With Hojlund struggling for form, Zirkzee saw plenty of minutes last season but this campaign has been a stark contrast.
The £74m arrival of Benjamin Sesko pushed him further down the attacking pecking order, while the additions of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha - both now entrenched as inside forwards - have only tightened competition for attacking places.
Joshua Zirkzee
Zirkzee has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford
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His reduced role has not only damaged his market value but also placed his hopes of making the 2026 World Cup squad in real jeopardy. The Netherlands secured their place on Monday with a 4-0 win over Lithuania - without any involvement from Zirkzee.
In fact, the striker hasn't featured for his country since 2024 and he now faces an uphill battle to convince manager Ronald Koeman he deserves a spot in next summer's squad.
To stand any chance, he needs consistent playing time - and with that looking increasingly unlikely at Old Trafford, a January exit will almost certainly top his wish-list. Whether United are willing to grant it, however, remains to be seen.
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