'Deal is done': Club in 'final stages' to sign £36.5m Man Utd star, personal terms agreed - report
Roma are on the verge of landing Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee on an initial loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (page 19).
The Dutchman has been a regular on the substitutes’ bench during the ongoing campaign. He has managed just three starts in the Premier League under manager Ruben Amorim.
Zirkzee is reportedly keen on returning to Serie A next month, and Gazzetta claim that he has already reached an agreement with Roma over a potential winter transfer.
The Giallorossi are in the ‘final stages’ of negotiations with the Red Devils over a loan deal with an obligation to buy next summer if they were to qualify for the Champions League.
Gazzetta cite that the ‘deal is done’ for Zirkzee, and United may not wait until the end of the Africa Cup of Nations to part ways with the Netherlands international, who will lead the line for Roma.
In the meantime, the Italian side are aiming to terminate Evan Ferguson’s loan deal from Brighton & Hove Albion in order to make room for the arrival of Zirkzee from the Red Devils.
United can’t lose Zirkzee without a replacement
The former Bologna striker has struggled since his £36.5 million move in the summer of 2024. He has had limited playing time from the starting XI, having failed to adapt to the league.
Zirkzee has shown glimpses of his quality with his movement in the final third, but has yet to adjust to the extra physicality and intensity. With the World Cup coming up next summer, he is obviously desperate for regular playing time to break into the Netherlands squad.
A move to the Serie A with Roma could suit the 24-year-old. The Italian top-flight is more tactical and less intense. He had a good final campaign with Bologna with 19 goal contributions, and played a big role in them qualifying for the Champions League against the odds.
Still, we don’t believe United should part ways with Zirkzee unless a replacement is found. United may not necessarily land another striker, and it could be an attacking player. Antoine Semenyo is a top target, but the club face fierce competition from Manchester City for his services.
If Semenyo were to arrive at Old Trafford, United could consider loaning Zirkzee to Roma, given Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo will be back with the squad after their commitments with Cameroon and the Ivory Coast respectively around mid-January.
Stats from Transfermark.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .