For Roma, signing Zirkzee is a priority for head coach Gasperini. The veteran tactician views the Dutchman as the ideal "nine-and-a-half"—a striker capable of scoring but also dropping deep to facilitate play, a role crucial to Gasperini's fluid attacking system. Roma have struggled for consistent goals this season, with Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson failing to find the net regularly. Gasperini believes Zirkzee’s technical ability and familiarity with Italian football could be the catalyst to reignite their push for the top four.
Aware that negotiations with United could collapse, Massara has pragmatically drawn up a "Plan B" list of four alternatives. If the Zirkzee deal proves impossible, Roma are ready to pivot to other targets, including ex-Wolves striker Fabio Silva amid his struggles at Borussia Dortmund.
The ball is now firmly in United's court. They must decide whether to hold out for their valuation and risk keeping an unhappy player, or cut their losses and sanction a loan that gets his wages off the books. With the January window fast approaching, the pressure is mounting on both sides to find a compromise. For Zirkzee, the next few weeks will determine if his English nightmare ends with a return to the Italian comfort zone he clearly craves.