Manchester United are braced for interest in Joshua Zirkzee, and AC Milan are among the interested clubs.
Joshua Zirkzee‘s lack of regular starts for Manchester United have made him a name to watch for the upcoming January transfer window.
Despite scoring against Crystal Palace, Zirkzee has been on the bench for United’s last two games, even with Benjamin Sesko out injured.
Zirkzee ideally wants to get back in the Netherlands international squad for World Cup 2026, and a move away from United could help him accomplish this.
Roma are the club that are most heavily interested, but according to Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan are keen on the Manchester United forward too.
Joshua Zirkzee at Molineux, wearing black kit
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Manchester United must KEEP Joshua Zirkzee in January
Joshua Zirkzee celebrates scoring for Manchester United.
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
AC Milan an outsider for Joshua Zirkzee
AC Milan’s desire is to sign ‘an old-school center forward’ in the January transfer window, Gazzetta report.
However, the one exception they have on their shortlist is Joshua Zirkzee, a totally different type of striker.
More United News
Zirkzee impressed in Serie A with Bologna and has a proven track record there. He is an intriguing name for Milan, who would present an opportunity if he is available.
The main point of concern for Milan is their worry about dealing with Manchester United.
Milan attempted to sign Rasmus Hojlund on loan in the summer, before being beaten to the deal by Napoli.
Gazzetta report: “The Red Devils already proved to be tough to work with in the summer with Hojlund.”
United are understood to be insistent that any club taking Zirkzee on loan must commit to a buy obligation.
Milan’s other concern is that United are only likely to sanction an exit for Zirkzee towards the end of the transfer window, once Amad and Bryan Mbeumo return from the African Cup of Nations.
With all of these factors taken into account, Milan are more likely to pursue other strikers on their shortlist as a priority over the Manchester United man.
IF Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui aren’t available… who replaces them in each position?🤔
Manchester United XI
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Encouraging for Ineos
It’s actually a positive sign that AC Milan fear Manchester United will not be easy to deal with.
For years, foreign clubs have tried to low-ball Manchester United to sign the team’s fringe players for the cheapest possible price – or most commonly, with no commitment.
This past summer was another difficult one with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Antony stuck on the club’s books until deadline day. At that point, United had to take the deals they could get.
It is actually better for United to keep Zirkzee in the second half of the season, he is useful cover up front.
The loan might be in Zirkzee’s best interests – but without a tempting financial offer, there’s no reason for United to agree it.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox