Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has reportedly agreed to join Italian Serie A side AS Roma in the January transfer window. The move comes after a challenging first season at Old Trafford for the Dutch forward.
From High Hopes to Limited Minutes
Joshua Zirkzee, 24, arrived at Manchester United in the summer of 2024 for a fee of £36.5 million on a five-year contract. His signing was the first major acquisition of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era and was intended to address a faltering attack that had managed only 57 Premier League goals the previous season under then-manager Erik ten Hag.
However, the Netherlands international struggled to make an impact, scoring just seven goals in 49 appearances across all competitions. His situation has not improved under current boss Ruben Amorim, who replaced Ten Hag in November 2024, with Zirkzee rarely featuring in the Portuguese manager's plans.
Roma Move Gains Momentum
According to reports from Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, Zirkzee has now given his approval to a switch to the Italian capital. He is said to have held positive discussions with Roma's sporting director Ricky Massara and manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Gasperini, famed for his attacking 3-4-2-1 system from his time at Atalanta, has reportedly reassured the forward that he will fit into any of the three advanced roles in his formation. This promise of a defined tactical role and regular football is crucial for Zirkzee as he aims to secure a place in the Netherlands squad for next summer's FIFA World Cup.
The deal is expected to be structured as an initial six-month loan with an obligation for Roma to buy the player permanently in the summer for a fee around £35 million. This would see Manchester United recoup the vast majority of their initial investment.
Amorim's Stance and United's January Dilemma
The transfer is not without complications. United manager Ruben Amorim has publicly stated that players can only depart if suitable replacements are found. "It's going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don't get a substitution," Amorim said recently, highlighting the club's thin squad depth.
United's hand may be forced by timing. The report suggests Zirkzee could complete his move by mid-January, after players like Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo return from the Africa Cup of Nations, easing the immediate strain on Amorim's attacking options.
Zirkzee may not be the only United player linked with Serie A. Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is also keen on a move to Napoli, where former Red Devil Scott McTominay currently plays. However, Amorim has moved to quash those rumours, insisting Mainoo has a big future at the club. "He's going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling," the manager stated.
For United, the January window presents a strategic challenge. The club insists it will not sign short-term stop-gap players, potentially meaning any major midfield reinforcement would wait until summer, regardless of outgoings.
