Manchester United held negotiations with Roma's sporting director on the weekend over the possibility of letting Joshua Zirkzee leave the club in the January transfer window
Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United
Joshua Zirkzee is wanted by Roma in the January transfer window
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Roma have reportedly entered talks with Manchester United over the signing of Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window. The Italian side are interested in securing Zirkzee’s services mid-season, but the financial details of the deal are yet to be ironed out, with United holding firm.
Zirkzee has struggled to hold down a place in Ruben Amorim’s side since joining the club from Bologna in the summer of 2024 for £36.5million. He has managed just eight goals and three assists in 59 appearances for United and has been strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford in 2026.
The arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for over £200m in the summer has seen Zirkzee relegated in the pecking order. He did score in the 2-1 away win over Crystal Palace last month but has not earned the trust of Amorim, prompting the possibility of a move away from Old Trafford.
Amorim’s options up front have just been diminished by Mbeumo leaving to play at the Africa Cup of Nations. Nevertheless, United are understood to be open to losing Zirkzee, but only if the terms are right. That is where Roma are struggling to find common ground.
Corriere dello Sport says Roma sporting director Ricky Massara was in London over the weekend to discuss a deal with United officials. But the Italian giants are operating under financial constraints and their offer to take Zirkzee on loan is not of interest to United, with Sky Sports reporting last week that they are not actively looking to offload.
If they are to do business, United want a permanent sale or a loan deal that guarantees a future payment. A fee of around €35-40m (£30-35m) has been floated, given the 24-year-old is under contract until June 2029.
However, Roma want to structure a deal that suits them better: a loan deal worth an initial €5m-6m (£4.3-5.2m) with an obligation to buy which is attached to the team qualifying for the Champions League. Zirkzee is reportedly open to resurrecting his career under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, but negotiations are essentially at a standstill for now.
Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee has only scored one goal this season
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Amorim outlined the club’s stance towards doing business in January after being asked about Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo last month. “I was a football player,” he said. “I understand everything, and I want to help my players in every situation.
“I understand the frustration of some players, seeing the World Cup is there. I know what it means. But the first thing is that the club comes first. If I can help the club and the players, I will be happy. If not, I have to think about the team.”
With Mbeumo away playing for Cameroon at AFCON and both Cunha and Sesko having just shaken off injuries, it seems it would take a bid that is simply too juicy to turn down for United to sanction Zirkzee’s exit.
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