Juventus in talks with Manchester United over a loan deal for Joshua Zirkzee | OneFootball

Juventus have opened formal negotiations with Manchester United to sign Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee on a loan deal, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

The 25-year-old striker has struggled to secure a regular starting spot at Old Trafford since joining from Bologna in the summer of 2024, prompting interest from Italian clubs eager to bring him back to Serie A.

Manchester United prefer a loan agreement with an obligation to buy, ensuring a definitive sale that helps recoup part of their initial transfer outlay.

Following the departures of Lois Openda and Dusan Vlahovic, Juventus are in the market for another striker after signing Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain.

During his standout 2023-24 season with Bologna, Zirkzee earned the Serie A Best Under-23 Player award and a place in the Serie A Team of the Year, demonstrating his ability to flourish in Italy’s top flight.

From Manchester United’s perspective, sanctioning a loan would allow Zirkzee to secure regular playing time while protecting his long-term value.

Although the Dutch international has shown flashes of quality in his 75 appearances for United, establishing consistent momentum has proved challenging.

He ended last season with just two goals in 26 matches across all competitions, though most of them came from the bench.

A temporary move back to Serie A provides Zirkzee with an ideal platform to rediscover his top form.

With discussions ongoing, both United and Juventus are motivated to reach a resolution before the transfer window closes, with the Serie A side also in talks with Zirkzee’s representatives.