Euro giants closing in on ‘nostalgic’ Man Utd star as INEOS open to Rashford-style formula

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Utd Report

·6 August 2026

Euro giants closing in on ‘nostalgic’ Man Utd star as INEOS open to Rashford-style formula

Juventus are reportedly making important strides in their negotiations with Manchester United for Joshua Zirkzee.

The Dutchman has been a target for the Serie A giants since his days at Bologna. In the summer of 2024, the Red Devils prevailed in the race, but the 25-year-old could end up in Turin after all.

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Zirkzee is coming off two underwhelming campaigns at United, and he’s now expected to leave to make room for a new arrival.

Juventus advancing in Man Utd negotiations for Joshua Zirkzee

Over the past 18 months or so, the Netherlands international has been constantly linked with a return to Serie A.

But in recent days, Juventus stepped up their interest in Zirkzee, launching a concrete attempt to sign their longtime target.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Man Utd attacker remains fond of his time in Italy, and his ‘nostalgia’ is another factor pushing him to the peninsula.

As the source explains, Juventus technical director Ricky Massara is spearheading the club’s charge on this track. Interestingly, the 57-year-old had already tried to bring Zirkzee to Roma before making the move to the Bianconeri last month.

The pink newspaper adds that Juventus are gunning for a loan with an option to buy, similar to the formula United adopted when they sent Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa in January 2025, and to Barcelona last summer.

MUFC could be open to this formula, but would prefer a Rasmus Hojlund-like operation. The Danish striker was loaned out to Napoli last summer, but the deal included an obligation to buy, hinging on Champions League qualification.

Hojlund ended up sealing a permanent transfer after helping the Serie A giants secure a place in Europe’s elite club competition. Still, Napoli officials insisted they were planning to buy him either way.

Do Man United need a Zirkzee replacement?

If Zirkzee were to leave Carrington this summer, Benjamin Sesko would remain as the only natural centre-forward in Michael Carrick’s squad.

Marcus Rashford, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko can lead the line if required, but these players are arguably more efficient when working off a genuine target man.

Therefore, Man Utd should ideally bring in another striker to the ranks, one with slightly different characteristics from Sesko’s.

Ironically, Zirkzee should theoretically be the missing piece, as he offers a different skill set. But for one reason or another, he hasn’t been able to produce his best football at Old Trafford, at least not consistently, and Carrick has apparently passed his final judgement.