Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Joshua Zirkzee this month has raised some significant questions, especially as Italian giants Juventus show serious interest in signing the Dutch striker. However, in the latest round of discussions, Manchester United have set firm demands before they agree to any move. The club is insisting that Juventus commit to a permanent transfer if they are to sanction Zirkzee’s departure this winter. The Dutch forward’s difficult start at Old Trafford has put both parties in a position to negotiate a move that benefits all sides, but Juventus’ hesitance to meet United’s terms could slow the process.
Zirkzee’s Struggles at Manchester United
Joshua Zirkzee’s move to Manchester United in the summer was expected to be a significant boost to their attacking depth. The 23-year-old had impressed during his time at Bologna, where he was loaned out for the 2022/23 season, scoring a respectable tally of goals and playing an important role in the Serie A side’s attack. His form in Italy, combined with his potential, led to high expectations upon his £36.5 million transfer to Manchester United.
However, since his arrival at Old Trafford, Zirkzee has failed to meet those expectations. With just four goals in 27 appearances, he has struggled to establish himself as a consistent option in the first team under new head coach Ruben Amorim. His performances have been underwhelming, and he has often found himself on the bench or substituted early in games, including a notable instance where Amorim substituted him during the first half of United’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle United. This lack of confidence from his manager has only added to Zirkzee’s frustrations, leading to speculation that he could be on the move once again in January.
A Return to Serie A: Juventus Express Interest
Zirkzee’s struggles at Manchester United have brought about fresh discussions about his future, and a return to Serie A has been widely speculated. Juventus, who had previously shown interest in the Dutchman, are now keen to bring him to Turin. The connection with Juventus is made even stronger by the fact that Zirkzee had a successful stint with Bologna last season. There, under the management of Thiago Motta, Zirkzee enjoyed more regular first-team football, scoring goals, and developing his game.
Motta’s rapport with Zirkzee makes him a key figure in Juventus’ interest. Juventus sees the potential in a partnership between Motta and the striker, which worked so well at Bologna. It is thought that the Juventus hierarchy views Zirkzee as an ideal candidate to strengthen their attacking options, especially as they look to reassert themselves at the top of Serie A.
United’s Stance: Permanent Transfer or No Deal
While the idea of Zirkzee returning to Italy on loan has been widely discussed, Manchester United have made it clear that they are unwilling to entertain any such deal unless it includes an obligatory purchase clause. United are not open to sending Zirkzee out on loan unless Juventus commits to making the deal permanent at the end of the season. This demand comes as a result of the club’s financial situation, as United must sell players in order to raise the funds necessary to bring in new signings in the January transfer window.
The Red Devils are aiming to offload some of their fringe players to make room for potential reinforcements. With limited funds available for permanent signings, selling players such as Zirkzee is one way to ensure that manager Ruben Amorim has the resources to strengthen his squad. A permanent deal for Zirkzee would be the preferred option for Manchester United, as it would provide them with the funds they need for new arrivals.
In terms of structure, United would prefer a straightforward transfer, but they are also willing to consider a loan deal if it includes a guarantee that Juventus will activate the purchase clause at the end of the season. At this stage, Juventus have not shown an eagerness to meet these conditions, which has led to a slowdown in talks.
Juventus’ Hesitation and Progress in Negotiations
While Juventus have made contact with Manchester United, their hesitation to commit to a permanent transfer could be a stumbling block in these negotiations. Juventus have not yet made any indication that they are prepared to trigger Zirkzee’s permanent transfer clause in the summer, and early negotiations have not yielded significant progress. For now, Juventus seems to be holding off on committing fully to the deal, perhaps due to concerns over Zirkzee’s form at Manchester United.
The club is reportedly keen to avoid rushing into a deal, given that Zirkzee’s performances this season have been far from convincing. The Dutchman’s lack of consistency in the Premier League has caused some doubts over whether he would be able to replicate his performances from last season at Bologna, where he was much more settled and had a prominent role in the team.
Despite this, Juventus are still hopeful that Zirkzee can regain his confidence and form, especially with Motta at the helm. However, their unwillingness to commit to a permanent transfer at this stage could complicate matters for United, who need to make a sale in order to fund their own transfer business.
Zirkzee’s Perspective: A Desire to Stay at United?
As talks continue, it has also been reported that Zirkzee himself is not keen on leaving Manchester United so soon after his summer move. The 23-year-old reportedly wants to fight for his place at Old Trafford and contribute to the team’s recovery during the second half of the season. Despite his struggles, Zirkzee still believes that he can prove himself at United, and he does not want to give up on his opportunity with the club so quickly.
Zirkzee’s determination to remain with United could be a key factor in the ongoing talks. The Dutch striker has not yet formally requested a move away from the club, and his reluctance to leave could delay or complicate Juventus’ efforts to sign him. However, with United’s financial needs and Zirkzee’s limited playing time under Amorim, it seems unlikely that the forward will have much say in whether or not he is sold this winter.
Manchester United’s Financial Situation and the Need for Sales
United’s financial situation plays a significant role in the club’s decision to sell players this month. The club is operating under tight budget constraints, and their main priority during the January window is to offload players to free up funds for new signings. A permanent sale of Zirkzee would help address this need, allowing United to bring in reinforcements for the squad.
The transfer fee from Zirkzee’s sale would likely contribute to funding other positions, particularly in attack, where United have been linked with a number of targets. With the club under financial scrutiny, moving on players like Zirkzee is necessary to create space both on and off the pitch for new arrivals.
Conclusion: Can Juventus and Man Utd Reach an Agreement?
The transfer saga surrounding Joshua Zirkzee is far from over. As negotiations continue between Manchester United and Juventus, both clubs are facing challenges in terms of reaching an agreement that works for both sides. Manchester United’s insistence on a permanent transfer is a major sticking point, while Juventus’ hesitance to commit to such a deal is complicating matters further.
For Zirkzee, the situation is equally uncertain. Despite his struggles at United, he still has a desire to prove himself at the club, but he may ultimately have little choice but to accept a move if Juventus and United can come to an agreement. For now, all eyes will remain on the outcome of the negotiations, with the winter transfer window providing a decisive opportunity for both clubs to secure the deal that suits their respective needs.
As things stand, it remains to be seen whether Juventus will meet United’s demands or if the situation will drag on until the end of the month. What is clear is that the future of Joshua Zirkzee is firmly in the balance, with several factors still to be resolved.
