Serie A giants have joined the race to sign £30m Man United star in January – Report | OneFootball

Roma Plot January Swoop for Zirkzee as United Prepare £30m Exit

Credit must go to Gazzetta Dello Sport for reporting that Roma are lining up a January move for Joshua Zirkzee as they seek goals to sustain their Serie A title charge. Roma currently sit top of the league but remain blunt in attack, and the Italian outlet notes that the club have begun surveying the market ahead of winter business.

Gian Piero Gasperini has brought control, aggression and belief to the Giallorossi, yet his forwards have faltered. As the original report states, “Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, despite the fact that they have so far scored only one goal in two in the league… a little little for a team that has European ambitions.” Gasperini is not waiting for form to magically return, and ambitious recruitment is already being drawn up.

Zirkzee Focus

The standout target is clear. Per Gazzetta, “Gasp’s dream is Joshua Zirkzee, unhappy in the Premier League (at United so far only 90 minutes played) and with Serie A always in his thoughts.” The former Bologna forward swapped Italy for Manchester United in a £42 million deal but has barely featured since arriving.

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United sources privately acknowledge that Zirkzee has struggled to adapt to Ruben Amorim’s tactical framework and physical demands. With Roma circling, club insiders believe that a January deal could work for all parties. It is understood United would consider a sale at around £30 million, viewing the swift exit as an opportunity to rebalance options and reinvest in wider squad requirements.

One figure close to the situation suggested privately, “He still has real talent, there is no doubt. But if minutes are not coming and the player becomes unsettled, sometimes a move back to familiar ground can be beneficial for everyone.”

Other Names on Roma List

Roma will consider alternatives if negotiations prove complex. As reported, the club also admire Nottingham Forest forward Arnaud Kalimuendo and Promise David of Union Saint-Gilloise, alongside emerging talents “Mateo Pellegrino and Jeff Ekhator.”

Gazzetta add that “the choice will also depend on what happens on the exit front,” with both Dovbyk and Ferguson facing uncertain futures in Rome. If Roma lose both, expect a dual-profile recruitment strategy, blending youth with established output.

United’s January Equation

From a Manchester United perspective, Amorim’s project is defined by system fidelity, verticality and positional intelligence. Zirkzee, a creative forward comfortable drifting wide, has not yet convinced as a striker in Amorim’s preferred structure.

Should Roma formalise interest, United will not block the move, and timing could suit all sides: Roma need goals, Zirkzee needs rhythm, United need squad balance. The football landscape has changed, and decisive winter moves can reshape seasons.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United fan perspective, this story will split opinion. Zirkzee arrived with excitement, boasting technique, flair and Serie A pedigree. Yet patience is wearing thin given his limited impact. Supporters have backed Amorim’s clear tactical identity since he arrived, and if Zirkzee does not fit, emotion cannot outweigh pragmatism.

The Portuguese coach has prioritised vertical runners, disciplined pressing profiles and efficiency in advanced zones. Zirkzee operates best as a drifting creator, much like a second striker who enjoys playmaking rather than attacking space. That is not inherently a flaw, just a stylistic mismatch.

A £30 million sale would represent a financial loss, however there is an acceptance that decisive corrections often define elite squads. Sir Alex Ferguson moved on players early when needed, and Amorim appears cut from similar cloth in terms of ruthlessness.

There will be fans who feel he deserved more than scattered appearances, especially with United still finding attacking rhythm. Yet the club cannot afford stagnation, and a player without a clear pathway can become a distraction. If that money funds a forward aligned with Amorim’s model, the logic strengthens further.

Roma’s interest proves Zirkzee retains high standing, and if he flourishes again in Italy there will always be debate. Nonetheless, backing the manager’s vision remains paramount, and nothing in Amorim’s tenure to date suggests he takes these calls lightly.