Manchester United open to Joshua Zirkzee exit as Italian clubs circle
Manchester United have informed Joshua Zirkzee that he can leave the club this summer, according to sources close to the negotiations. The club will not block a transfer but are determined to recoup the £35 million fee they paid to sign the striker from Bologna in 2024, setting the stage for a summer sale.
TEAMtalk understands that Zirkzee’s representatives are actively seeking his next move, with a return to Serie A emerging as the most probable outcome. Juventus, long-term admirers of the Dutch international, remain firmly in the picture as they look to bolster their attacking options despite progress on a new contract for Dusan Vlahovic. The Bianconeri’s interest has intensified after moving away from other targets like Jonathan David.
They are not alone in their pursuit. Roma, Atalanta, and ambitious, upwardly mobile Como have all registered strong interest in the 24-year-old forward. There is also attention from the Bundesliga, where Zirkzee developed as a youth player at Bayern Munich, with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen both monitoring his situation closely. However, the concentration of suitors in Italy, where Zirkzee enjoyed his most productive spell, makes it his likeliest destination.
The shift in United’s stance marks a significant change from January, when they insisted the player was not for sale. His limited involvement this season has prompted the rethink. Zirkzee has started just four Premier League games and has been restricted to brief substitute appearances since Michael Carrick took interim charge, playing only 32 league minutes under the current manager. Should Carrick remain at the helm next season, Zirkzee’s prospects for regular football at Old Trafford appear slim.
A move would offer the forward a chance to reignite a career that has stalled in Manchester. During his two-season stint at Bologna prior to joining United, Zirkzee demonstrated his potential in Italy, contributing 14 goals and nine assists in 54 appearances. That proven track record in Serie A is a key reason for the sustained interest from clubs in the division. For United, a sale at or near their purchase price would represent sensible business for a player who has not cemented a first-team role, providing funds for a potential squad overhaul under the INEOS regime.
The coming weeks are expected to be pivotal in determining Zirkzee’s future, with negotiations likely to hinge on whether an interested club meets United’s valuation. The player’s camp is now tasked with securing a suitable offer that satisfies all parties, bringing a swift end to his brief stint in the Premier League.
