Manchester United chiefs would now reportedly be open to facilitating Joshua Zirkzee’s exit, despite rebuffing numerous approaches for him over the summer.
Whilst the Dutch international has yet to find his most prolific goalscoring form in a red shirt, it hasn’t stopped clubs from vying for his signature.
Joshua Zirkzee: What happened this summer?
Fabrizio Romano revealed last month that several sides had been ‘insisting like crazy’ to prise Zirkzee from Old Trafford in the transfer window, including Juventus, who wanted to sign him on loan with an option to make his move permanent.
Inter Milan and Napoli also expressed tentative interest, both of whom would provide the forward the opportunity to return to Italy, where he spent two seasons with Bologna.
Ultimately, both Zirkzee and United decided to continue together. He is contracted to the Reds until 2029, so it’s not as if they were under any pressure to facilitate his exit.
They may look to do so in the winter, though.
United U-turn on Zirkzee
According to a fresh report from CaughtOffside this morning via the Daily Briefing, INEOS are prepared to part ways with the 24-year-old prematurely in order to make space and raise funds for a new attacker.
Zirkzee has made only three Premier League appearances this campaign and has yet to start a game, making it pretty clear where he now ranks in Amorim’s pecking order.
In the opening six top-flight matches, he has featured for a total of just 74 minutes. He was an unused substitute against Chelsea and played a mere five minutes in the closing stages of last week’s defeat away to Brentford.
When United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the second round to League Two outfit Grimsby Town, the former Bayern Munich star was granted eight minutes to make a difference off the bench.
Zirkzee has accumulated seven goals and three assists in the 53 United matches he’s played thus far, so it’s safe to say he could be doing more to justify playing a more prominent role in Amorim’s plans.
