AS Roma's plans to sign Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee this month have been thrown into disarray following the sudden dismissal of Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
Roma's sporting director, Ricky Massara, has publicly confirmed that the Serie A club's pursuit of the Dutch forward has cooled off significantly in the wake of the managerial upheaval at Old Trafford.
Managerial Chaos Impacts Transfer Plans
Zirkzee, 24, was reportedly among a group of players keen to secure a move away from Manchester United this January, having failed to cement a regular starting role since his £37.5 million transfer from Bologna in 2024.
Roma, actively seeking attacking reinforcements, had identified the Netherlands international as a prime target. However, the landscape shifted dramatically on Monday when Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Ineos group axed Amorim. The manager's exit came swiftly after he publicly criticised the club's hierarchy following last weekend's 1-1 Premier League draw with Leeds United at Elland Road.
Massara told Sky Sports Italy: 'He is a Manchester United centre-forward liked by many clubs, not just us. Naturally, the situation is different after this change of management, there are no contacts in progress.'
Roma's Search for Goals Continues
With the Zirkzee deal now on ice, Roma are exploring other options to bolster their frontline. Massara confirmed the club is also in negotiations to sign Atletico Madrid forward Giacomo Raspadori.
'It's true that there are negotiations in progress with both Atletico Madrid and Raspadori,' Massara stated. 'The situation is evolving, we knew the timing could be affected by the Spanish Supercup. We expect it to be resolved one way or another fairly soon.'
He emphasised the club's broader strategy, noting this January window represents an opportunity rather than a panic buy. 'We know this window is an opportunity to reinforce the squad in an area where we have struggled to convert chances into goals,' he added.
Interim Era Begins at Old Trafford
Back in Manchester, the club is navigating a period of uncertainty. Former midfielder Darren Fletcher has taken temporary charge for Wednesday's fixture against Burnley while the search for an interim head coach until season's end continues.
Fletcher himself is under consideration for the caretaker role, alongside other ex-United figures like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Michael Carrick.
For Joshua Zirkzee, the immediate future is unclear. Roma's concern, as revealed by Massara, is that the player may now opt to stay and fight for his place under United's new stewardship, leaving the Italian side to look elsewhere in the January transfer window.
