Manchester United are engaged in discussions with Fiorentina over a possible move for forward Joshua Zirkzee, according to information from the Press Association, as the striker edges closer to leaving Old Trafford before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Zirkzee arrived at United in 2024 following a €42.5 million (£36.5m) switch from Bologna, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal that includes the option of a further year. Despite the sizeable investment, the 25-year-old has struggled to establish himself as a regular feature in the United side, netting just twice in 26 appearances across all competitions during his debut campaign in England. Only five of those outings came from the start, a statistic that underlines how peripheral his role became under United's coaching staff.
The Netherlands international's overall return at Old Trafford stands at nine goals, a modest tally that has done little to convince the club he should remain part of long-term plans. With his game time increasingly limited, sources close to the situation suggest Zirkzee has grown frustrated with his lack of involvement.
The most likely outcome now appears to be a season-long loan to Fiorentina, with the Italian club reportedly keen to include an option to convert the deal into a permanent transfer. Italian media have indicated that the loan fee under discussion is in the region of €5 million (£4.3m). Fiorentina's interest comes as they look to fill the void left by Moise Kean, who has departed for fellow Serie A side Como, a club competing in the Champions League qualifiers this season.
Zirkzee is not short of suitors, however, with Premier League outfit Aston Villa and Serie A giants Juventus also credited with monitoring his situation. The forward, who has earned six caps for the Dutch national team, last featured for his country in November 2024.
Despite the swirling speculation, United head coach Michael Carrick moved to dampen suggestions that unrest was brewing within his squad. Asked directly whether Zirkzee or any other player had requested to leave the club, Carrick was unequivocal.
"Not to me, no," the United boss said. "I don't know what's going to come out. I don't know what's going to come at us from elsewhere."
He added a note of composure regarding the club's approach to the remainder of the transfer window: "We can control what we can control. I'm really happy with the squad we've got so far, and if not, we want to improve it."
Zirkzee's fringe status at Old Trafford was evident once again at the weekend, as he was left on the substitutes' bench throughout United's opening-day Premier League defeat, a 2-0 loss away to newly promoted Hull City. The Dutchman now finds himself behind Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko in Carrick's attacking hierarchy, further complicating his path back into the first-team picture should he remain in Manchester.
United's season continues with a home fixture against fellow promoted side Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon. Carrick's team will then travel to face Everton before a highly anticipated clash awaits on 13 September, when United meet their local rivals in the first Manchester derby of the campaign.
Whether Zirkzee is involved in any of those matches likely hinges on developments over the coming days, with all parties working against the clock ahead of Tuesday's deadline.
Based on reporting from Press Association (via Independent Football).