Manchester United have set their asking price for Joshua Zirkzee amid interest from Roma and two Premier League clubs.
Ex-United boss Erik ten Hag brought Zirkzee to the Premier League in the summer of 2024 in a £36.5m move from Bologna.
Zirkzee hit double figures in his final season in Serie A but that form has largely deserted him since his arrival in Manchester.
The 24-year-old scored just three goals in the Premier League last season and appears to have been frozen out by Ruben Amorim this term.
Zirzkee is yet to start a game during the 2025-26 campaign and is believed to be open to a move in January to revive his career and boost his chances of going to next summer’s World Cup.
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Roma are said to be leading the race to sign Zirkzee, although Premier League clubs Everton and West Ham have also been linked with moves for the Netherlands international.
Manchester United are ready to sanction his departure – if the numbers are right – and Amorim has reportedly given the green light to the transfer.
Gazzetta dello Sport say United are discussing a loan deal with Roma that would include an option for the Italian club to sign Zirkzee on a permanent transfer next summer.
The report adds that Manchester United want 35m euros (£31m) for Zirkzee, the same fee that Roma are required to pay to sign Evan Ferguson permanently at the end of the season.
Zirkzee would also need to agree to take a pay-cut to join Roma, who are hoping to make at least one attacking signing in the winter window.
If Roma fail to strike a deal for Zirkzee, reports in Italy say they will turn their attentions to Tottenham summer signing Mathys Tel.
Spurs signed Tel on loan from Bayern Munich last January before making the deal permanent for £30m over the summer.
Dutch football icon Ruud Gullit recently urged his compatriot Zirkzee to return to Italy in January and said he made the ‘wrong decision’ joining Manchester United.
‘I think from my point of view that he should have stayed in Italy, because he was really striving,’ Gullit told Metro.
‘He was really doing well at Bologna, and I was hoping that he would go to Milan. I think that as soon as he went to Manchester United, it was the wrong decision.
‘I mean, for a lot of players, moving to Manchester United has been the wrong decision. And whoever leaves them, plays well everywhere around Europe. I just hope that there’s a solution for him.
‘Go back to Italy on loan if you can. Just play football. He’s a good player. But at the moment, it’s difficult at Manchester United.
‘They found a little form in the past couple of weeks, and I hope for Manchester United that they continue that. Because a good United is good for the Premier League as well.’
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