One Italian side has identified Joshua Zirkzee as their main transfer priority for January, as Manchester United transfer decision is made.
Manchester United bolstered Rúben Amorim’s squad during the summer with several important first-team signings.
The club entered the transfer window with a clear goal: to solve last season’s problems in front of goal. After managing just 44 Premier League goals in the previous campaign, United invested £214 million to overhaul their attack completely.
Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha arrived to form the new frontline, while the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jadon Sancho all departed Old Trafford.
Joshua Zirkzee was one of the few forwards to stay. The Dutch striker impressed during the latter part of last season before injury halted his momentum. While he would have wanted to kick on from last season, he has been limited to just 82 minutes this season, all of which have come from the bench.
Roma identify Zirkzee as their main transfer priority
Ahead of the World Cup next June, the Netherlands international is reportedly eager to secure a move away, either permanently or on loan, in January in search of regular game time.
As reported by TBR Football, Serie A side Roma have made Zirkzee their number one target for the January transfer window. The outlet’s transfer correspondent, Graeme Bailey, spoke about the 24-year-old’s situation, saying that the Italian outfit is willing to cut short Evan Ferguson’s loan deal from Brighton to sanction the move.
“We are told that Roma are now looking at the mechanisms to send the Irishman back to Brighton, which would enable them to bring in a new front-man, and Zirkzee is their favoured choice.
“Zirkzee is set to move and the interest in him is very strong, he can stay in England, has options back in Italy as we have revealed, but there are teams in Spain, France and Germany too – he really is going to have his pick.
“United are going to sanction it, they really like his attitude and commitment, but given the summer arrivals of Cunha, Sesko and Mbeumo, they all realise he is way down the pecking order.
“The Red Devils want him to go to the World Cup next summer, and the only chance is for him to play next year.”
Unfortunate timing for Joshua Zirkzee
While initially signed to play in Erik ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1 formation at Man Utd, Zirkzee still found some success in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation, but not as an out-and-out striker, but rather as more of a No.10, where he could connect the play.
His versatility across the front-line is a great trait that he possesses; being able to fill in several different positions should there unfortunately be any injuries to the new front three signed during the summer.
The issue Zirkzee has is that he has dropped to second in the pecking order in his favoured positions, with Mbeumo, Cunha, and Šeško’s form picking up in recent weeks, and the 24-year-old may see the situation as untenable as he looks for minutes ahead of the World Cup.
With United not being in any European competition, and having been embarrassingly knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town, it’s looking increasingly likely that he may have to search for the playing time that he needs away from Old Trafford.
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