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Joshua Zirkzee to Juventus: Juventus have made Joshua Zirkzee one of their leading attacking targets, though the shape of any agreement still separates the two clubs. Peter Young reported for Football Italia, citing La Gazzetta dello Sport, that Juventus want a season-long loan with a non-mandatory option to buy. They hope to repeat the structure Barcelona used when they signed Marcus Rashford from Manchester United during the previous summer window.
Joshua Zirkzee to Juventus gathers pace after fresh Italian report
Manchester United don’t appear interested in that approach. Club officials reportedly value Zirkzee between €35 million and €40 million and would rather complete a permanent transfer than delay another major decision for twelve months. Luciano Spalletti wants a tall centre-forward capable of replacing Dusan Vlahovic, and the Dutch international ticks plenty of those boxes.
There is another complication. Juventus must first clear space in their squad because Jonathan David has struggled to attract an exit despite wanting regular football elsewhere. If negotiations over Zirkzee lose momentum, Chelsea striker Liam Delap and Emmanuel Emegha sit on Juventus’ shortlist as alternative loan options.
Meanwhile, Juventus have hardly stood still this summer. Jeff Ekhator and Zeki Celik have arrived, while Randal Kolo Muani and Kerim Alajbegovic are already in Italy to complete their moves. That spending explains why the Turin club prefers flexibility instead of another immediate multi-million-euro commitment.
Why Joshua Zirkzee to Juventus makes sense for the player
Life at Old Trafford has become difficult. During the 2025/26 Premier League season, Zirkzee managed just two goals and one assist from 24 league appearances, starting only five matches and playing 624 minutes. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško all moved ahead of him after Michael Carrick reshaped his attack.
Despite those disappointing numbers, the 25-year-old still carries a strong reputation across Europe. He remains part of the Netherlands senior squad and has reportedly given his approval to a Serie A return, making Juventus an attractive destination for a fresh start.
Scorzo’s opinion on Joshua Zirkzee to Juventus
Manchester United should resist Juventus’ preferred proposal. A straightforward loan with an optional purchase clause gives the Italian side every advantage while leaving United exposed if Zirkzee fails to rebuild his value. That’s poor business for a club trying to reshape its squad.
A mandatory €35 million purchase clause feels far more reasonable. Another interesting option involves Francisco Conceição in a player-plus-cash agreement, which would solve a genuine need for a natural winger while removing Zirkzee’s salary from the wage bill. United still hold the stronger negotiating position because Juventus need a striker more urgently than United need to accept the first offer that lands on the table.