Fabrizio Romano: European giants have ‘made contact’ to sign Man United star | OneFootball

Roma interest grows in Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee

Manchester United transfer stories rarely simmer quietly. As winter edges closer and fixtures pile like snowdrifts on a festive calendar, forward Joshua Zirkzee has found himself in an awkward middle ground at Old Trafford. Once tipped to flourish, now facing decisions that speak louder than his limited minutes. Roma have emerged as suitors and their interest has been underlined by Fabrizio Romano, who revealed that calls have been made to explore a January move.

Zirkzee has featured for just 90 minutes under Ruben Amorim this season. Four brief Premier League cameos and a short Carabao Cup run tell the tale. It has not been the expected second season surge. The Dutchman cost £36.5m only last summer, arriving with confidence from Bologna and 49 appearances in his debut campaign. Yet opportunity has shrunk dramatically. His competition has toughened too, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all landing ahead of him in the attacking queue.

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Transfer discussions intensify

When Romano says, it often signals a turning tide. As he reported“Amorim and the management of Man United are talking about the January window, the opportunities and what to do with the players who want to play more, Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee. For Zirkzee there is West Ham and also Roma have called in recent weeks. So Zirkzee will be an opportunity for several clubs and we have to see what Manchester United want to do, if they want to let him go or not.”

That line paints a clear picture. The club know decisions must be made. Zirkzee wants minutes, United need harmony and clarity in the squad, and rival clubs smell opportunity. West Ham have also been monitoring developments and that adds a Premier League dimension to the chase.

Player frustration grows

Zirkzee has shown patience, but there is a point where talent needs space to breathe. One source close to the player suggested privately that he is keen to avoid stagnation and would consider a temporary exit. An imagined sentiment could read“I want to play football, I have worked hard and believe I can help a team. If that chance is not here right now, then we will look at solutions.”

His omission from four consecutive Netherlands squads has not helped his mood. National team windows are powerful reminders of momentum gained or lost. Letting a promising forward drift risks diminishing a sizeable investment and a player once labelled elite in technical detail and link play.

What comes next

United have steadied results with a four match unbeaten Premier League run, including the 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest, yet squad management remains a crucial subplot. The January window may not reshape the first team drastically, but decisions on hungry players carry long term consequences. Zirkzee’s future will serve as a small but telling indicator of United’s evolving recruitment and retention philosophy.

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From a Manchester United supporter viewpoint, this situation sparks mixed emotions. On one hand, competition at this level demands ruthlessness. If Sesko and Cunha look sharper right now, then selection should reflect form. Yet allowing a young striker with technical class and Premier League upside to sit idle does feel uncomfortable. There is a familiar pattern here. A talented signing, promising beginning, then a sudden stall in trajectory. Fans have seen similar arcs before and most would prefer this not be another chapter in that cycle.

Some will argue a loan makes perfect sense. Roma can offer responsibility, tactical refinement and a platform to rebuild confidence. If he returns improved, the club wins. If he excels and the situation remains blocked, his market value remains protected. Letting him leave permanently without testing his ceiling in an Amorim system long term would feel premature.

Others will worry that this could mirror past exits where players thrived elsewhere. Zirkzee carries elegance in possession, intelligence in combinations and a profile suited to modern pressing and link oriented attacks. Losing him without truly unlocking that would pinch. If he does stay, supporters will want rotational trust and genuine minutes, not polite cameos when games are sealed.

In short, the club must act decisively. Whether that is a clear development plan at United or a structured loan, clarity is key. Talent should not be shelved, especially when the squad has lacked consistent cutting edge up front in recent seasons.