Jason Wilcox looking on
(Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Manchester United may have an unlikely ally in Chelsea who can lend them a hand in their quest to offload Joshua Zirkzee.
The Dutch forward has been plying his trade at Old Trafford since the summer of 2024, when he completed a £36.5 million switch from Bologna.
But sadly for the 25-year-old, he has been lost in the shuffle amidst the recurring managerial changes, so he has only been able to make 75 appearances for the club (most coming off the bench), scoring nine goals and delivering four assists in the process.
Man Utd want Joshua Zirkzee out – Chelsea to the rescue?
Despite his meagre numbers, Zirkzee is a fan favourite at Old Trafford, with his name often sung at the Stretford End, even when he’s on the bench.
However, the Netherlands international is apparently less popular among the hierarchy, as Carrington insider Sully reveals that many people at the club ‘don’t rate’ the former Bologna star, and would like to replace him with a new striker.
“Left-back is gaining a lot of momentum atm. still believe there’ll be a third midfielder despite the lack of noise. loads of people internally keen on a striker and don’t rate zirkzee – but depends on his sale if we were to move for one,” posted the journalist on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
This update coincides with growing reports from Italy, claiming that Juventus are keen to bring Zirkzee back to Serie A.
While some believed that Randal Kolo Muani’s return to Turin could close the door on Zirkzee’s arrival, La Gazzetta dello Sport argues it might not necessarily be the case.
After all, Juventus have already parted ways with their attacking duo Dusan Vlahovic and Lois Openda, while Jonathan David, as the pink newspaper explains, has emerged as a serious target for Chelsea, who are interested in signing the Canadian on loan.
With Juve forced to operate diligently on the market due to their FFP troubles, it will be essential for them to send David away to make room for Zirkzee.
Could Man United regret offloading Zirkzee?
This summer, Man Utd have adopted a cautious approach on the market, refusing to enter bidding wars, even if it meant missing out on some of their top midfield targets, namely Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes.
Therefore, INEOS are highly unlikely to break the bank on a new striker, especially with Benjamin Sesko cementing himself as a reliable first choice.
With a limited budget, United might struggle to find themselves an attacker who can be a genuine upgrade on Zirkzee, unless they go after an ageing profile.
It should also be noted that the Dutchman offers a different skill set from that of the other attackers at Michael Carrick’s disposal, and he’s able to perform multiple roles.
Moreover, Zirkzee has proved he’s willing to accept a secondary role at the club while maintaining a positive demeanour and offering his teammates psychological support.
These are all factors the management should consider before pulling the trigger on the Dutch star’s time at Carrington.
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