Fabrizio Romano has now addressed the situation around Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee after Aston Villa star Donyell Malen completed a move to Roma.
Donyell Malen left Villa Park in the January window and the 26-year-old Netherlands international’s loan move to the Stadio Olimpico was confirmed on Friday.
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Roma’s deal with Aston Villa included an option to buy in the summer, with BBC Sport reporting that the Serie A club paid an ‘undisclosed fee’ for the Dutchman.
Joshua Zirkzee had been linked with Roma in recent months amid the Italian club’s desire to bring a new attacking option to the Stadio Olimpico this season.
The 24-year-old Netherlands international has been struggling to secure regular Manchester United first-team minutes in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
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Joshua Zirkzee during the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor in 2026 in Burnley, England.
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Fabrizio Romano reveals where Roma now stand on Man Utd star Joshua Zirkzee after the Donyell Malen signing
Donyell Malen is not the only signing to arrive at Roma, with the Serie A outfit landing forward Robinio Vaz from Ligue 1 side Marseille for a reported €25m fee.
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The arrivals of Robinio Vaz and Aston Villa loanee Malen have raised questions around Roma’s interest in out-of-favour striker Joshua Zirkzee before the window closes.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has said that Roma are still interested in Zirkzee and have not ruled out the option of signing him from Man Utd.
“Roma, for their part, are keeping the ball rolling because Roma considers Zirkzee a separate discussion compared to the other opportunities,” he said.
“Robinio Vaz is clearly an investment for the future. Zirkzee would represent an immediate leap in quality.
“But today, guys, to answer those who are asking us, ‘Is it true that we’re getting closer? Is it true that it can be done? Is it true that it can be closed?’”
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Joshua Zirkzee celebrates scoring for Manchester United.
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Romano added: “To date, the signals from Manchester United have not yet arrived. To date, the Zirkzee discussion, to date, the Kobbie Mainoo discussion, both discussions.
“Mainoo obviously applies to Napoli, Zirkzee to Roma. These are two discussions that have completely stalled.
“On the club side, they were already there since December when they were talking about operations done or even arrivals, I told you to be careful.”
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Fabrizio Romano on Man Utd’s transfer stance amid Joshua Zirkzee’s links with Roma
Zirkzee has been left playing second fiddle to striker Benjamin Sesko in the 2025-26 Premier League season after he fell down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim.
Despite Ruben Amorim’s sacking as Man Utd manager, wantaway striker Zirkzee has still been tipped for an exit from Old Trafford in the January transfer window.
Romano admitted that he doesn’t think there is a clear indication that the Red Devils are keen to sell any United first-team players before the transfer market shuts.
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“But above all, the signal I’m getting from United is that there’s no particular desire to turn this team around and let too many players go in January because then you have to add others,” he added.
“And you’re doing it for a manager who will most likely no longer be at Manchester United in the summer, unless he does very well and therefore United prefer maintaining the team’s current status and investing in the summer. That’s why the Zirkzee deal hasn’t really taken off yet.
“Then, if between now and the end of the transfer window, United calls Roma to say, ‘OK, we’re ready to negotiate,’ we’ll tell you about it, but today, we’re saying we need to be cautious because this story has always hinged not on the player Roma would be happy to sign, but on Manchester United.”
Zirkzee is under contract with Man Utd until 2029 and the Dutch forward has netted twice in 16 matches across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign.
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