Joshua Zirkzee has given Juventus the green light on a potential move this summer. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Manchester United forward has told the Serie A club he’s open to joining them. But that’s where the easy part ends.
Juventus are looking for a replacement for Dusan Vlahovic. Their top target is Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani, but the two clubs are far apart on valuation. So they’ve started shopping around, and Zirkzee is high on the list.
The problem is structure. Juventus want a loan. Manchester United, if they’re going to move on from a guy they paid decent money for in 2024, would rather sell outright and use the cash to fill other holes in the squad. That gap in priorities is the whole story right now.
Zirkzee’s time at United never really took off
Since arriving from Bologna, the Dutch international has managed just nine goals and four assists in 75 appearances. That’s not what you want from a forward United invested in as a long-term piece. Last season under Michael Carrick, Zirkzee logged only 127 minutes. That’s barely more than a game and a half. It’s pretty clear he’s not in the manager’s plans.
Carrick started him in the first preseason friendly against Wrexham last weekend, but that feels more like a showcase for potential buyers than a sign of a changed mind. The expectation around the club is that Zirkzee will be gone before the window closes.
United have other moves to make too
The club has already brought in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Karl Darlow and Tynan Thompson this summer. But they’re still hunting for another midfielder and a left-back is a priority. And then there’s the Marcus Rashford situation. Whatever happens with Rashford — whether he stays or goes — will直接影响 what United do with any attacking additions. That decision is still unresolved.
For now, Zirkzee waits. He’s said yes to Juventus. But that yes doesn’t mean much until United and Juventus can agree on terms that work for both sides.
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