Manchester United have rejected an offer for Joshua Zirkzee but have opened the door for his departure in January.
Ex-United manager Erik ten Hag brought Zirzkee to Old Trafford in the summer of 2024 in a £36.5m move from Bologna.
Zirkzee reached double figures in his final season in Serie A but did not have much of a back catalogue to suggest he was worthy of a lucrative move to the Premier League.
The 24-year-old scored on his Manchester United debut but has endured a dismal run since then, netting just three more league goals in 38 appearances.
Zirkzee suffered an injury towards the end of last season and has been unable to win a place back in the team, starting just three Premier League games so far this season.
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A lack of game-time under Ruben Amorim has convinced Zirkzee his future lies away from Manchester United and the Netherlands international is hoping to secure a January move.
Roma have expressed interest in signing Zirzkee despite his struggles in Manchester and Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport claim the Serie A side are confident is striking a deal.
It is claimed Zirkzee has already agreed a move to Roma – making that decision ‘in a flash’ – but that the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement.
Manchester United have in fact rejected Roma’s opening offer of an initial loan with an option to buy should Gian Piero Gasperini’s side qualify for the Champions League.
But United have indicated they will only offload Zirzkee on a permanent transfer as they want the cash now, potentially to spend during the January transfer window.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to have set ‘strict negotiations’ for the upcoming transfer window, privately insisting there will be ‘no freebies’.
If Roma cannot reach an agreement with Manchester United, they will look at alternative targets such as Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto.
United’s asking price for Zirkzee is unclear but reports last month claimed the Red Devils wanted around 35m euros (£31m).
Zirkzee’s sale would potentially increase Manchester United’s transfer budget for January, with Amorim keen to sign a new midfielder and another wing-back.
The calibre of midfielders United are targeting – Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson have all been linked – mean they may have to wait until next summer to strengthen in that position.
Zirkzee scored his first Premier League goal in almost a year in United’s comeback win over Crystal Palace at the end of November.
The Dutch forward started against West Ham on Thursday night before being subbed off in the second-half of the 1-1 draw.
Manchester United will likely be back in the bottom-half of the Premier League by the time they visit bottom-placed Wolves on Monday night.
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