Manchester United have suffered a major transfer setback with less than two days before the window closes, after Joshua Zirkzee turned down a move to Fiorentina.
The Red Devils had been hoping to offload the former Bologna striker this summer, with the Serie A club emerging as a potential destination. Fiorentina had looked to bring Zirkzee in on loan, but that deal now appears to be off the table.
Zirkzee rejects Fiorentina loan
According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Zirkzee himself has rejected the move. Romano posted on X: "Joshua Zirkzee has turned down a move to Fiorentina after €5m loan plus €30m buy option clause proposal sent to Manchester United on Wednesday."
Romano added: "Juventus have approached Man United tonight for Zirkzee as they did with Newcastle for Woltemade, in case Jonathan David leaves."
The BBC report that Fiorentina have now turned their attention to Beto, with Sky Sports adding that the Everton striker is due in Tuscany for a medical on Monday (August 31).
United may add another striker
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed United's plan if Zirkzee is to leave: "I think if Zirkzee goes to Italy with Fiorentina in talks and more clubs interested, in that case, Man United could add one more striker."
"Because, obviously, there is Champions League football this season, and they need one more striker apart from Benjamin Sesko, (Matheus) Cunha, or (Marcus) Rashford, who can play there. So United are exploring several possibilities."
Several players have been linked with the Red Devils over the past couple of weeks, including Freiburg's Igor Matanovic, Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta and Al-Ahli's Ivan Toney.
It has been a busy summer for manager Michael Carrick, though the focus has been on a midfield rebuild, with Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos all signing.
