Manchester United make Joshua Zirkzee transfer decision amid Napoli interest

Manchester United Training Session
Joshua Zirkzee looks set to stay at Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is on Napoli’s shopping list this month, but the Red Devils have already come to a decision on his future.

The Serie A champions are in the market for a new striker after a frustrating injury to Romelu Lukaku in pre-season which is set to keep him sidelined for around three months.

Zirkzee is one of a number of options they like the look of, with Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta being another.

The Dutchman was used regularly by Ruben Amorim last season, making 49 appearances in all competitions, but he has fallen down the pecking order over the summer.

Manchester United have completely revamped their forward line, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko coming in.

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That looks likely to become the first choice front three, with Zirkzee an option off the bench or in rotation for the number 10 or centre forward roles.

However, despite being more of a squad player than a starter, Manchester United are keen to keep hold of him and do not intend to sell him this summer, reports transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Olympique Lyonnais v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg
Zirkzee scored seven goals in all competitions in his first season at the club (Picture: Getty Images)

Romano reports that Amorim and the Manchester United board came to the decision to keep hold of Zirkzee ‘months ago’ and no talks have been held over a move.

The Netherlands international signed a five-year contract when he arrived at Old Trafford from Bologna in a £36.5m move last year.

The former Bayern Munich man has made no suggestion that he would be interested in a move away himself, but may have been concerned on Sunday that he was left on the bench in the defeat to Arsenal.

Manchester United v Fulham - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
Ruben Amorim wants to keep hold of Zirkzee (Picture: Getty Images)

The Red Devils played well but lost 1-0 to the Gunners at Old Trafford, with Mason Mount starting in the front three with Cunha and Mbeumo.

Sesko came off the bench to make his debut, but Zirkzee remained an unused substitute despite United chasing the game.

Zirkzee may be down the pecking order, but he is not as far down as Rasmus Hojlund, who was not in the Manchester United squad at all on Sunday.

Hojlund and Zirkzee in the Premier League

Rasmus Hojlund

Apps: 62

Goals: 14

Assists: 2

Joshua Zirkzee

Apps: 32

Goals: 3

Assists: 1

The Denmark international now looks likely to leave the club this summer, with AC Milan interested in signing him.

This would likely be a loan move with an option to buy the 22-year-old next summer, which Hojlund is reportedly now open to after initially being keen to stay and fight for his place.

Manchester United are back in Premier League action on Sunday away to Fulham.

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