Manchester United inform Juventus of Joshua Zirkzee transfer demands as negotiations begin

According to a new report, Manchester United have informed Juventus of their transfer demands for Joshua Zirkzee as negotiations begin surrounding the player.

Joshua Zirkzee’s start at Manchester United has been challenging since his £36 million move from Bologna over the summer.

Brought in to compete with Rasmus Højlund under former manager Erik ten Hag, the Dutch striker made an encouraging debut with a goal against Fulham. However, he has struggled to maintain that momentum, failing to score in his subsequent appearances.

Known for his preference to drop deep and contribute to build-up play rather than playing as a traditional number nine, Zirkzee offers a unique skill set. Despite this, he has yet to adapt effectively to new head coach Rúben Amorim’s system.

Zirkzee has made 27 appearances during this campaign so far but provided just four goals and two assists. Conditions at the club only worsened after he was substituted within 33 minutes of starting against Newcastle.

United inform Juventus of their Zirkzee transfer demands

Amid the 23-year-old’s poor form, the striker has been gaining lot of transfer interest from clubs in Italy after he won the Young Player of the Year award in the Serie A for 2023/24 after peforming for Bologna.

Juventus manager Thiago Motta is familiar with Zirkzee, having coached him at Bologna, and is said to be keen on reuniting with the player.

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, negotiations surrounding Zirkzee between United and Juventus have now started.

It is said that Juventus have asked for a straight loan deal until the end of the season, but United have informed them that they must either bid for the player permanently or agree to a loan with an obligation to buy in the summer.

Di Marzio has also confirmed that the Serie A giants have opened talks with his representatives over the move.

United and Juventus also negotiating swap deal

With these reports in mind, it’s also been claimed that United and Juventus are mulling over a potential swap deal that would see Zirkzee return to Italy while Dusan Vlahovic heads the other way.

“We understand that the footballer (Zirkzee) is not at all happy in Manchester, he has not settled in and is not doing well,” Journalist Enrico Camelio revealed on Radio Radio Lo Sport.

“In Italy he had done well in Parma and then very well in Bologna precisely with Motta. We are working on it, but there is an idea of ​​​​an exchange between Vlahovic and Zirkzee, let’s see how the situation evolves.

“The idea is plausible; the Dutchman would find the coach who consecrated him again.”

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