Man United 'make major call' on Joshua Zirkzee future amid Juventus, Napoli 'interest'

The Netherlands international arrived at Old Trafford over the summer off the back of scoring 12 times in 37 appearances for Bologna during the 2023-24 campaign, including 11 Serie A goals in 34 outings.

However, the 23-year-old has found it difficult to make his mark this term, scoring just four times in 26 appearances, with three of those goals coming in 18 Premier League outings.

There has been a host of talk surrounding his future in recent weeks, with a number of clubs from Italy's top flight believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation with the 20-time English champions.

Man United are short in the final third of the field, with Rasmus Hojlund their only other option at centre-forward, but according to Tuttosport, the Red Devils have agreed to let Zirkzee leave on loan during the winter market.

Man United 'willing to let Zirkzee leave on loan'

Zirkzee has only scored in two Premier League matches this season, with his last goals coming against Everton in the middle of December, although he did also register in the recent EFL Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Dutchman was a late substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, but he could not prevent his side from suffering a 2-0 defeat at Molineux.

Zirkzee is again set to be in the squad for Monday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United, but he is unlikely to be in the XI, with Hojlund set to continue as the centre-forward.

Despite his struggles in English football, Zirkzee has credit in the bank in Italy due to his strong form for Bologna, and some of the biggest clubs in the division are thought to view him as a player capable of having a major impact.

Who could Man United sign as a replacement?

It is very difficult to imagine Man United letting Zirkzee leave unless a replacement has been lined up, as his exit would leave the team incredibly short in the final third of the field.

Marcus Rashford is also being tipped to leave next month, so there will have to be an incoming, and Randal Kolo Muani has seemingly emerged as a genuine target for the 20-time English champions.

The France international will be allowed to leave Paris Saint-Germain in January, and German journalist Florian Plettenberg recently said that he is expected to make the move to the Premier League.

Kolo Muani has only managed two goals and one assist in 14 appearances for PSG this season, but the 26-year-old is believed to be on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs, including Man United, Liverpool and Tottenham.

Written by

Matt Law