£36.5m star now poised for Man Utd stay after Euro giants purchase two strikers
Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee is poised to stay at Manchester United this winter after Roma’s decision to sign Robinio Vaz and Donyell Malen from Marseille and Aston Villa respectively.
The Netherlands international has been a regular off the bench for the Red Devils this campaign, and it was reported last month that he had agreed personal terms to join Roma.
The Serie A outfit were also confident of landing his signature after the returns of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo from the Africa Cup of Nations, but the scenario has changed with Ruben Amorim’s exit.
United have recently announced Michael Carrick as their interim manager after parting ways with Amorim, and ESPN claim that no departures are expected before the transfer deadline on February 2.
Zirkzee has been eyeing regular playing time to boost his World Cup prospects, but it appears a move is off the cards, with Roma opting to recruit two alternative strikers ahead of him.
Marseille wonderkid Vaz has just signed for the Giallorossi on a permanent transfer for £22 million, while Malen will arrive from Villa for a £2m loan fee with a mandatory £22m buy clause.
Roma’s decision does not come as a surprise, given that sporting director Frederic Massara recently revealed that United have ‘closed all doors‘ for Zirkzee’s departure with the managerial change.
The £36.5 million signing has played second fiddle to Benjamin Sesko for the number nine role this term, and his minutes could be limited in the near future, particularly with the Slovenian hitting good form.
Sesko has netted three goals in his previous two games against Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion, and looks poised to continue upfront in Saturday’s early Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
It appears more likely that Zirkzee could now depart in the summer. The former Bologna man could be permitted to leave once United land a suitable replacement for the 2026/27 season.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .