AS Roma have launched negotiations with Manchester United for the transfer of striker Joshua Zirkzee, with the _Giallorossi_ hoping to structure the deal as a loan with a conditional obligation to buy.
According to **La Gazzetta dello Sport**, the Friedkin ownership has [given](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomercato/Roma/10-12-2025/roma-su-zirkzee-la-trattativa-con-il-manchester-united-i-dettagli.shtml) the green light for the club to accelerate its pursuit of the Dutch forward, who is the top preference for manager Gian Piero Gasperini. Roma Sporting Director Massara is set to travel to Manchester after the team’s match against Celtic to try and push the deal forward.
### Conditional Obligation vs. United’s Demand
Initial contacts have been successful, with Zirkzee himself giving his full approval for a move to Roma and a return to Serie A, where he previously impressed with Bologna. United’s decision to open the door to a transfer comes after Zirkzee has been increasingly sidelined, a signal that has convinced the player to leave the Premier League.
However, the clubs remain apart on the final transfer structure. The Red Devils are demanding a loan deal that includes a direct €35 million obligation to buy, as they look to monetize the player immediately. Roma is willing to take a step toward the obligation model but wants to make the purchase conditional on the club qualifying for the next edition of the Champions League. The _Giallorossi_ also hope to shave a little off the final transfer fee.
Massara is keen to conclude the deal quickly, as Gasperini is desperate for a new striker, having frozen potential talks for other targets like Giacomo Raspadori, Yuri Alberto, and Fabio Silva to focus entirely on Zirkzee.