Manchester United are closing in on an agreement to let Joshua Zirkzee join Juventus on loan. The 25-year-old forward has struggled at Old Trafford since his £34million move from Bologna in 2024, scoring just nine goals in 75 appearances.
Zirkzee's Struggles and Demotion
Zirkzee dropped further down the pecking order following Michael Carrick's appointment in January, starting just one Premier League fixture in the second half of the season. That came in the goalless draw against Sunderland in May, where he missed a golden chance to give United the lead.
He was a second-half substitute during United's 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on Saturday, having scored a sensational solo goal in the 5-0 drubbing of Rosenborg seven days earlier. But Carrick dropped him to the bench for the Atletico game, with Bryan Mbeumo through the middle, a decision that paid off as Mbeumo scored twice.
Loan Move to Juventus
According to Sky Sports Italy, United are finalising an exit for Zirkzee, with talks ongoing around a season-long loan to Juventus. Personal terms are in place, and the Serie A side are confident of landing the Dutchman with an option to buy at the end of the season.
United would have preferred a permanent deal but will settle for a loan, with Juventus' Chief Football Officer Fredric Massara the main negotiator. Zirkzee was signed by Erik ten Hag in 2024 after United won the FA Cup, but despite scoring on his Premier League debut against Fulham, he was later preferred by Rasmus Hojlund under Ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and then Ruben Amorim.
He finished last season with more than 2,200 minutes under his belt but netted just seven goals, finding himself further down the pecking order when Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo, and Sesko arrived. The ex-Bayern Munich prospect scored twice in 26 matches last season and is now expected to leave, with Juventus leading the race and closing in on his signature.
