Joshua Zirkzee has struggled for game time at Old Trafford under Michael Carrick
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Manchester United are holding talks with Fiorentina regarding a potential transfer for Joshua Zirkzee, the Press Association understands.
The 25-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Bologna in 2024, agreeing a five-year contract with an option for an additional year in a €42.5 million (£36.5m) transfer.
However, Zirkzee has found opportunities hard to come by at United, scoring only twice across 26 appearances in all competitions last season.
Just five of those matches were starts, leaving the forward frustrated and facing a potential departure from Old Trafford before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Negotiations are ongoing regarding a return to Serie A with Fiorentina, where a season-long loan containing an option to make the move permanent appears most probable.
Reports in Italy suggest a loan fee of roughly € 5million (£4.3m) as the Florence club look to offset Moise Kean’s departure to Champions League qualifiers Como.
Zirkzee has fallen out of favour under Michael Carrick
Zirkzee has fallen out of favour under Michael Carrick (Getty)
Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Serie A side Juventus have also been linked with the Netherlands international, who won the last of his six caps in November 2024.
The Dutch attacker has disappointed overall at United, managing a total of nine goals during an increasingly difficult time at the club.
Nevertheless, head coach Michael Carrick stated last week that neither the forward nor any other squad members had asked to leave the Premier League team.
"Not to me, no," the United boss said. "I don’t know what’s going to come out. I don’t know what’s going to come at us from elsewhere.
"We can control what we can control. I’m really happy with the squad we’ve got so far, and if not, we want to improve it."
Zirkzee remained on the bench as United suffered a 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull in their Premier League opener on Saturday, and has found himself behind the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko in the pecking order up front at Old Trafford.
Carrick’s side face Ipswich, another newly promoted team, at Old Trafford in their next fixture on Sunday afternoon. They will then face Everton before the first Manchester derby of the season on 13 September.