Manchester United have entered into discussions with Italian club Roma regarding a potential January transfer for striker Joshua Zirkzee, though a significant financial hurdle currently blocks any immediate agreement.
Negotiations Hit a Stumbling Block
Roma's sporting director, Ricky Massara, reportedly travelled to London over the weekend to speak with United officials about a deal for the 24-year-old forward. The Serie A side are keen to bolster their attacking options mid-season and see Zirkzee as a viable target.
However, the core of the issue lies in the structure of the proposed transfer. United are not interested in a simple loan deal, which is Roma's preferred initial approach due to their own financial constraints. The Premier League club, having paid £36.5 million to sign Zirkzee from Bologna in the summer of 2024, are holding firm on their valuation.
United's Stance and Zirkzee's Situation at Old Trafford
Manchester United's position is clear: they would only sanction Zirkzee's departure for a permanent sale, or a loan that includes a guaranteed future payment. A fee in the region of €35-40 million (approximately £30-35 million) has been mentioned, reflecting the fact his contract runs until June 2029.
Zirkzee's struggle for game time at United is a key driver behind the talks. Since his arrival, he has managed only eight goals and three assists in 59 appearances. The situation worsened last summer following the club's heavy investment in other forwards. The arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo for a combined sum exceeding £200 million pushed the Dutchman down the pecking order under manager Ruben Amorim.
Despite a recent goal in a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, Zirkzee has failed to earn Amorim's consistent trust. The temporary loss of Mbeumo to the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon has not significantly altered his prospects, with Cunha and Sesko now back from injury.
Roma's Alternative Proposal and Current Impasse
In response to United's demands, Roma have proposed an alternative structure. They are offering an initial loan worth €5-6 million (£4.3-5.2 million), with an obligation to make the move permanent contingent on the club qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. This conditional offer is not currently appealing to the Old Trafford hierarchy.
While Zirkzee is said to be open to reviving his career in Italy under Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini, negotiations are effectively at a standstill. United's stance, as reiterated by reports last week, is that they are not actively seeking to offload the player, meaning any deal would require an offer that meets their specific financial criteria.
Amorim previously addressed the speculation around his squad last month, stating, "The first thing is that the club comes first. If I can help the club and the players, I will be happy. If not, I have to think about the team." For now, it appears a January exit for Joshua Zirkzee will only materialise if Roma can bridge the considerable financial gap with Manchester United.
