Joshua Zirkzee could depart Manchester United with Marcus Rashford as striker set for showdown talks
Today at 11:18 AM
Joshua Zirkzee could be set to return to Italy only six months after joining Manchester United.
Several top clubs across the continent, including Juventus, are keeping a close eye on the Man United striker.
The Italian giants are among other European clubs that are interested in the Bayern Munich academy product.
And that could mean he becomes a victim of Ruben Amorim’s overhaul of the Man United squad, with Marcus Rashford‘s future up in the air too after his recent squad snub and interview.
Juventus, who are determined to add firepower under Thiago Motta, are reportedly planning to step up their Zirkzee pursuit.
He scored 14 goals in 58 appearances under Motta at Bologna, contributing to their qualification for the Champions League in 2023-24.
His former manager and the Bianconeri now view him as a long-term solution to their attacking needs, and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has already outlined his strategy to bring the striker to Turin.
Although Zirkzee may wish to stay at Man United should he start getting some more minutes in the team under Amorim.
He seemed to have earned a starting spot when he scored two goals in a 4-0 win over Everton at the start of December.
But the 23-year-old has only collected 57 minutes of football since in three Premier League matches against Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.
According to Tuttosport, his agent Kia Joorabchian has now arranged a meeting with the Man United directors and boss Amorim to discuss the prospects of a move.
Juventus are interested in a January transfer, specifically a loan opportunity with an option to buy.
Zirkzee has not quite lived up to expectations at Man United, as he has scored just three goals and assisted twice.
Scoring on his Man United debut seemed to earn him some hype around his potential, but he has since made just five starts in red.
And with the manager who signed him, Erik ten Hag, sacked, he will have to try and win Amorim over.
His total of 607 minutes played at Man United since joining the club in the summer may turn his head to a January loan move.
Man United visit Tottenham in the EFL Cup clash at Old Trafford on Thursday where he is expected to get some game time.
That game will be live on talkSPORT with commentary coming from Sam Matterface and Martin Keown.
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