The electric £70m winger Man Utd may sign this January - and whether it would be a good dealplaceholder image
The electric £70m winger Man Utd may sign this January - and whether it would be a good deal | AFP via Getty Images
Man United have turned down the opportunity to send this player out on loan, as they want a permanent sale finalised
Manchester United are expected to oversee a number of deals in 2026, from exciting new signings to significant player departures.
One of the main names on the outgoing list is Joshua Zirkzee, who has made just three Premier League starts so far this season. The striker was signed last summer as part of the club’s attempt to restructure their attack but he has not had the desired impact since his arrival from Bologna.
Zirkzee has been heavily linked with a move away from United in 2026 and according to a new report in Italy, the Red Devils are not interested in sanctioning a loan deal, and would rather cut their losses for an instant pay day instead.
Man United ‘want the money’ for Joshua Zirkzee
According to Corriere dello Sport, relayed via Sport Witness, United are ‘continuing to resist’ any attempts from rival clubs to sign Zirkzee on loan in the new year, as they ‘want the money now’ from a permanent sale.
The report claims that AS Roma’s director of football Frederic Massara is ‘in negotiations’ with United over a potential deal for Zirkzee. The Italian club have been heavily linked with the centre-forward and Zirkzee himself said yes to joining Roma ‘in a flash’.
However, it’s United who are proving to be resistant over a move. I Giallorossi have already seen an initial loan offer with an option to buy rejected by the Premier League side. The report claims United ‘want to cash in on Zirkzee now’, not wait until the summer to potentially see the buy clause activated.
Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly set ‘strict negotiations’ for the January transfer window. He has made it clear that there will be ‘no freebies’ from Man United’s side of things.
Joshua Zirkee criticism at Man United
Zirkzee has managed to score just one goal in all competitions so far this season. The way things are going, he is on for a lower tally than last term, when he managed just three Premier League goals in 32 appearances.
Back in January, Jamie O’Hara slammed United’s performances, which saw them finish the season in 15th place after picking up just 42 points. The ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves man describing United as ‘one of the worst teams in the league’, he then singled out Zirkzee in particular for his poor performances.
“Their options in attack are terrible as well – Amad Diallo is the only player who looks like he deserves to play for them,” O’Hara said at the time.
“Joshua Zirkzee is one of the worst players I’ve ever seen in a Manchester United shirt – it’s unbelievable that he’s playing for them. He’s an absolute imposter!”
Zirkzee has fallen heavily out of favour under Ruben Amorim but with his contract running until 2029, United will need to listen carefully to any potential offers coming their way, or risk him remaining on their wage bill for seasons to come.
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