Manchester United are willing to take a major financial hit to secure Joshua Zirkzee’s departure from Old Trafford, according to a new report in Italy.
sunken dutchman
Despite having just won Serie A’s Young Player of the Year award, Zirkzee has struggled since joining from Bologna in 2024. The 24-year-old forward is 6ft 4in tall, possesses excellent technique and creativity and should fit in well in the Premier League given his obvious physical gifts.
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However, the Dutchman lacks the ability to use these skills effectively and is often bogged down by the pace and intensity of English football.
He was like a true “false” number nine, lacking both the goals to justify his last game and enough assists to serve as a playmaker deep in the pitch. 69 red-shirt appearances, nine goals and four assists, tell the story of the £36.5m centre-forward’s failure.
A return to Italy in January is highly likely, with both Juventus and Roma making progress towards a deal. this Roma It is understood that they even agreed to a loan and had an obligation to buy.
But United lack forward depth due to the Africa Cup of Nations and injuries, as well as changes in the dugout – with Michael Carrick replacing Ruben Amorim as interim coach – and any departure for M16 has been ruled out.
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Exit this summer
After being largely out of favor with Amorim, Zirkzee continues to suffer from a lack of game time under Michael Carrick, with just 28 minutes in four cameo appearances since the 44-year-old Englishman took charge. The Netherlands international is understood to be preparing to leave Old Trafford again this summer, with interest in Serie A expected to be rekindled.
However, United are now willing to make the same effort as the club look to reduce the loss of a player whose skills make the prospect of success in England out of reach. Italian outlet Tuttomercato Web revealed that the Red Devils are even willing to accept bids as low as £22 million to facilitate an exit.
From a PSR perspective, Zirkzee has excellent ‘book value’ for a transfer fee of £36.5m on a five-year contract, meaning United would have to sell him for just under £22m to avoid being negatively impacted by his sale.
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final thoughts
It’s a damning indictment of the deal that brought Zirkzee to Manchester United, with Ineos now simply willing to break even on a player with such an exciting reputation. It was this failure that undoubtedly led the club hierarchy to prioritize two Premier League-tested forwards, Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbemo, last summer.
For Zirkzee and United, a return to the slower pace of Italian football is the best option, with the hope that the Schiedam man can get an offer of at least £22 million.
Feature image Molly Darlington via Getty Images
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