Roma Emerges as 'Ideal' Destination for Struggling United Forward
Manchester United outcast Joshua Zirkzee has been told a January transfer to Serie A side Roma would be the 'ideal' move for his career, as several Premier League clubs also monitor his situation. The 24-year-old Dutch striker has become a peripheral figure at Old Trafford, playing just 82 Premier League minutes this season without a single start under manager Ruben Amorim.
World Cup Ambitions Fuel January Exit Talk
Zirkzee's primary motivation for seeking a move away from Manchester is his ambition to secure a place in the Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Having signed for United in a £37 million deal from Bologna in 2024, his limited involvement has raised serious concerns about his international prospects. However, a January departure is not guaranteed, as United face potentially losing Bryan Mbeumo to the African Cup of Nations around the same period.
Multiple Suitors Across Premier League and Serie A
The competition for Zirkzee's signature is intensifying, with West Ham United evaluating the forward as they contend with Niclas Fullkrug's potential return to the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, Everton have included Zirkzee on their shortlist alongside Ivan Toney as they seek attacking reinforcements. David Moyes is reportedly pursuing a different profile of forward to current options Beto and Thierno Barry.
Italian clubs are particularly keen to facilitate Zirkzee's return to a country where he previously flourished with Bologna. Napoli and Juventus have previously been linked with the Dutchman, while Roma's interest has been formally endorsed by former Serie A striker Jeda. Speaking to Retesport, Jeda explained: 'Zirkzee would be the ideal forward for Gasperini's Roma, because he has good feet, strong technique, and manages to attack the space.'
Roma's need for attacking reinforcement is pressing, with centre-forward Artem Dovbyk unavailable until early 2026 and other attacking stars including Paulo Dybala, Leon Bailey and on-loan Evan Ferguson carrying various issues. Ferguson, yet to score for Roma, could potentially return to Brighton, opening further space for a new arrival.
Jeda elaborated on why Zirkzee specifically fits Roma's requirements, noting: 'Gasperini wants his forwards to combine with their teammates, be quick and intense in the movement, have first touch passes to open up the space for the wingers to come in.' Despite sitting second in Serie A and level on points with leaders Inter Milan, Roma have struggled to convert possession into decisive opportunities, a problem Zirkzee's particular skill set could help resolve.
