Juventus are eyeing a potential move for Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, who is struggling to adapt at Manchester United.
Zirkzee, who came to the club with high expectations, has struggled to find his footing in the Premier League, where he’s had limited success.
With Juventus needing a reliable backup for Dusan Vlahovic, the Italian club are considering bringing in the Dutchman on loan as early as January to help reinvigorate his career.
🚨🚨| Manchester United are considering offloading Joshua Zirkzee in January with clubs in Serie A monitoring developments.
[@cmdotcom] pic.twitter.com/MSyJ8T3luE— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) November 12, 2024
Zirkzee’s Struggles at Manchester United
Zirkzee’s time at Old Trafford has been difficult, with limited minutes and a return of only one goal so far. Manchester United initially invested £36.5 million in the young striker after he scored 11 goals last season in Serie A, but his performances this season have failed to match the club’s expectations.
Some reports suggest that Erik ten Hag, United’s former manager, may not have fully endorsed the signing, as Zirkzee’s style doesn’t align with the Premier League’s fast-paced play.
To date, Zirkzee has made only four starts and hasn’t appeared in the starting lineup since late September.
United’s current coach, Ruben Amorim, has reportedly prioritised Victor Gyokeres as his forward of choice, leaving Zirkzee out of favour and fuelling rumours of a January loan move.
Juventus Seek a Backup Striker Solution
For Juventus, Zirkzee could fill a critical role. With Arkadiusz Milik still in recovery and Serie A’s tightly contested standings demanding top performances, the club requires a consistent support striker.
Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri is looking for a versatile forward who can complement Vlahovic, and Zirkzee’s skills as a “nine and a half” fit the bill.
His experience in Serie A, particularly under Thiago Motta at Bologna, where Motta leveraged Zirkzee’s unique skill set to enhance Bologna’s offence, has not gone unnoticed by Juventus.
Manchester United are reportedly open to a loan move for Zirkzee, aiming to restore his market value while alleviating the current squad imbalance.
Juventus’s budget aligns well with the proposed loan terms, as Zirkzee’s €3.5 million net salary is within the Italian club’s parameters for a mid-season loan.
This arrangement would allow Zirkzee a fresh start in a league where he has previously excelled and offer Juventus a low-risk opportunity to strengthen its forward lineup.
