Joshua Zirkzee wants to leave Manchester United for Juventus in this transfer window, according to a new report from Italy.
Zirkzee joined United in the summer but has failed to settle and despite a change in manager, he still finds himself unable to command a starting place in the first team.
On a rare start against Newcastle United on Monday, Zirkzee was hauled off by head coach Ruben Amorim after 30 minutes and was reportedly close to tears as he exited down the tunnel having been jeered by his own fans.
United have been widely reported to be open to letting the misfit leave and he has no shortage of suitors in Serie A, where he made his name playing for Bologna last season.
One of the keenest clubs to be pursuing him is Juventus, whose head coach is the same Thiago Motta for whom the Dutchman played his best football.
It has already been reported by the reliable Gianluca di Marzio that Juventus have been in talks with Zirkzee’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, but now according to Gazzetta dello Sport, those talks have reached a positive conclusion.
The outlet claims that “There is already a basic agreement between the agent and the Juventus management.”
What’s more, Gazzetta states that “Zirkzee wants to leave the Premier League…he would like to return to Italy, to the coach who made him perform at his best in Serie A.
“Convincing the player was not difficult.”
The main issue to be overcome remains the fact that United would like to sell the player, which is out of the question for the Old Lady, who can only fund a loan with their transfer kitty earmarked for defenders. For that reason, Gazzetta admit that:
“After the initial no, the English club has now opened up to a loan but with an obligation to buy. Juventus, on the other hand, insists on a dry loan or with an option, a formula that allows them not to commit immediately, postponing the expense for the striker until the summer…
“The relationship between the two clubs is good, but there has not yet been direct contact. Meanwhile Kia has already been moving for some time to test the waters.”
A dry loan is probably of little use to United, who would be left short of striking options and with no revenue to replace the 25 year old. However, if the Turin side are prepared to commit to an eventual purchase, it would seem that Zirkzee’s short-lived United career could already be coming to an end.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
