Juventus are pressing ahead with their bid to sign Joshua Zirkzee on loan and the Manchester United attacker has approved a proposed move to Turin.
Struggles at Old Trafford
Zirkzee has fallen well short of expectations at Old Trafford following his £36.5million switch from Bologna in 2024, managing only nine goals and four assists in 75 appearances for the Red Devils.
There had been hopes that Michael Carrick's influence could help Zirkzee turn his fortunes around after two underwhelming years in the north west – but the Dutchman started just one of United's final ten matches of last season.
United open the door
Reports emanating out of Manchester last week claimed United had initiated discussions to offload Zirkzee, with club bosses appearing to have run out of patience while waiting for the forward to hit form.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Juventus have emerged as the clear frontrunners to wrap up a deal for Zirkzee and head coach Luciano Spalletti has 'said yes' to the prospect of adding the 25-year-old Netherlands international to his frontline.
It's claimed Juve's chief football officer Frederic Massara 'knows Zirkzee well' having had the versatile striker 'in his grasp' last year – and he is determined to get his man this time around.
Agreement with player's camp
The report adds that the Serie A giants had a 'full agreement' with Zirkzee's entourage 12 months ago, only for United to pull the plug on the club's move. Roma also missed out on a deal in the January transfer window.
Juve's latest proposition has been given the green light by Zirkzee's camp, with the former Bayern Munich and Bologna man greatly 'intrigued' by the idea of returning for a second spell in the Italian top flight.
Juventus' proposed move for Zirkzee would be an initial loan with an option to buy at the end of next season. While there has been some speculation that Francisco Conceicao could be included in Juventus' deal with United, the winger has made it clear he would prefer to remain in Turin. Zirkzee's current contract at the Theatre of Dreams is not due to expire until June 2029.
Pre-season form
There were plenty of encouraging signs from Zirkzee during United's pre-season clash with Rosenborg, in which the attacker scored and assisted in a comprehensive 5-0 victory. However, he was only handed 17 minutes in the side's 2-1 defeat of Atletico Madrid, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring twice as Carrick's men came from behind to win in Stockholm.
The Red Devils return to action in Gothenburg against Paris Saint-Germain in a week's time, before heading to Dublin to face off against bitter rivals Leeds United. United then wrap up their busy pre-season schedule versus AC Milan in Wroclaw on August 15, with the club's opening match of the Premier League campaign away to newly promoted Hull City taking place just a week later.
