Manchester United are ready to sanction their next transfer with talks continuing around a loan move for a player that has struggled to hit top form across the last two seasons
Joshua Zirkzee in action for Manchester United in pre-season
Joshua Zirkzee is close to leaving Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United are closing in on an agreement to let Joshua Zirkzee join Juventus on loan.
Zirkzee, 25, signed for the Reds in a £34million deal from Bologna back in 2024 but has struggled to find form at Old Trafford. Indeed, the forward has scored just nine times in 75 matches in a United shirt.
He dropped further down the pecking order following Michael Carrick's appointment in January and started just one Premier League fixture in the second half of the season. That came in the goalless draw against Sunderland in May, a game in which Zirkzee missed a golden chance to give the Reds the lead.
But now, according to Sky Sports Italy, United are in the process of finalising an exit for Zirkzee, with talks ongoing around a season-long loan move to Juventus. Personal terms are in place and the Serie A side are confident of landing the Dutchman with an option to buy at the end of the season.
United would have preferred a permanent deal, but will instead have to settle for a loan, with Juventus' Chief Football Officer Fredric Massara the main negotiator in the transfer.
Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United warming up before the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford
Juventus are closing in on a move for Joshua Zirkzee(Image: Getty)
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Zirkzee was a second-half substitute during United's 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on Saturday. He had scored a sensational solo goal in the Reds' 5-0 drubbing of Rosenborg seven days earlier.
But Carrick decided to drop Zirkzee, who had started United's first two pre-season matches, down to the bench for the game against Atletico with Bryan Mbeumo through the middle. It's a decision that ended up paying off as Mbeumo scored twice for United as they came from behind to win their second friendly of the summer.
Zirkzee was signed by Erik ten Hag in 2024 after United won the FA Cup. However, despite scoring on his Premier League debut against Fulham and starting the season as the club's first-choice No.9, Rasmus Hojlund was preferred by Ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy and then Ruben Amorim.
Although he did finish the season with more than 2,200 minutes under his belt, he netted just seven goals and found himself further down the pecking order when Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko arrived last summer.
The ex-Bayern Munich prospect netted twice in 26 matches last season and is now expected to leave with Juventus leading the race and closing in on his signature.