Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee.
Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee.
Juventus reportedly remain on the trail of Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee.
Zirkzee has endured a difficult debut season since his £36.5million move from Bologna last summer. He has scored just three times in 27 Premier League appearances to date, and hit a personal low when he was jeered after being substituted during United's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in January, although his form has improved since then.
Struggling to make an impact at Old Trafford, Zirkzee had been widely linked with a return switch to Italy. A loan move to Juventus had been touted by some Italian reports.
Although a move did not materialise in January, Juve chief Giuntoli has not dismissed the prospect of the Serie A club making a move for him. As quoted by Football Italia, he said: "Zirkzee? It's not appropriate to mention names, but we are keeping an eye on any interesting opportunities, and we will move to strengthen."
Now Calcio Mercato reckons that Juve head coach Thiago Motta remains an admirer of the striker from their time together at Bologna. It's said the club are monitoring his situation at Old Trafford with a view to potentially make a move in the summer window.
The report adds that Juventus plan to sell Dusan Vlahovic to "make room" for Zirkzee's arrival. The Dutch star spent two seasons at Bologna prior to moving to United and the 2023/2024 season was his personal best under Motta at Bologna. He scored 12 goals in 37 matches across all competitions.
Motta previously hailed the 23-year-old's impact for him at Bologna. "I remember Ronaldinho from Barcelona, he was something extraordinary," he said. "I've never seen a player of this level when he was in form. Ibrahimovic the same, given the career he's had.
"Joshua is Joshua, he's special, I hope he continues like this and I won't compare him to anyone. He plays well, but above all he works, I will never stop saying that from the first day of training camp, he has always been the first to work and has become a leader. He must continue like this and we must help him continue like this, because this is on the right path."
Zirkzee has also previously spent time with fellow Italian outfit Parma - making four appearances on loan in the 2020/2021 season.
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