AC Milan set to join the race to sign Man United star in January – Report | OneFootball

Milan monitor Man Utd forward Zirkzee as striker search intensifies

Milan’s growing interest in United’s Dutch forward

Milan’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements has once again led them to Joshua Zirkzee, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport. The Italian outlet reports that the Dutchman, previously admired during his Bologna spell, remains high on Milan’s radar as they prepare for a possible January reshuffle.

Zirkzee’s story has long been one of promise mixed with patience. His flair and intelligence on the ball impressed many in Serie A last season, where his ability to combine link-up play with moments of technical brilliance made him a standout in Bologna’s European push. However, since joining United, his opportunities have been limited, leading to speculation that he could seek a temporary move to regain rhythm and confidence.

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Sources close to Milan claim that “Zirkzee would be welcomed if the conditions were right, particularly on a loan basis.” The player previously turned down a San Siro move, but his situation in Manchester could prompt a rethink. “If he opens the door,” Gazzetta writes, “Milan’s stance could quickly change.”

United’s situation shaping the player’s future

At United, Zirkzee has found himself caught between promise and pragmatism. The Premier League side’s attacking hierarchy leaves little room for inconsistency, and his development has been shaped by short cameos rather than consistent starts. This has not gone unnoticed in Italy, where Milan’s recruitment team see a player who could thrive once again in a system built around movement and technical interplay.

While United have no pressing need to sell, a loan arrangement could be appealing if it guarantees game time and protects the player’s long-term value. It would also align with Milan’s strategy of pursuing low-risk, high-upside deals amid ongoing evaluation of their attacking options.

Milan’s wider striker shortlist

Gimenez’s scoring drought and Dovbyk’s inconsistent form have prompted Milan’s renewed focus on the market. The Gazzetta Dello Sport report lists other potential options, including Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jonathan Burkardt, both of whom have enjoyed prolific seasons.

Yet, Zirkzee’s blend of Serie A experience and youth continues to make him a unique fit. At 23, his physical profile and tactical adaptability mirror the qualities Milan’s hierarchy value most. “He’s not just a goalscorer,” one Italian journalist explained, “he’s a creator who can bring the best out of others.”

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Opportunity for redemption in Serie A

A return to Italy would represent more than a career reboot. For Milan, it would signal an attempt to reintroduce a familiar face into an evolving project. For Zirkzee, it could reignite the form that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young strikers last year.

Milan are unlikely to make the first move, but their patience could pay off. If the Dutch forward seeks a new challenge, both parties might find their interests aligned. With January approaching, Zirkzee’s name is one that will continue to circulate in Milanese corridors, a reminder that football’s most intriguing stories often begin with a second chance.

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Zirkzee remains a young, developing talent whose potential is widely recognised, but his role in Ruben Amorim’s setup has yet to fully materialise. Fans have seen flashes of quality, the clever touches, the movement between lines, yet consistency and confidence have been hard to sustain without a run of starts.

A loan to Milan could be seen as an opportunity for him to rediscover his rhythm. For a club with United’s ambitions, letting a player develop in Europe’s second tier of elite football might be beneficial rather than risky.

Still, some fans would prefer to see Zirkzee given more time domestically. “He’s got the skill set we’ve lacked since the Rooney era,” one fan wrote on social media, referencing his technical ability to drop deep and link play. Others believe that Milan’s system, less physically demanding and more tactically fluid, could be the perfect environment for him to evolve into the striker many hoped he’d become.

Ultimately, United fans would wish him success wherever he plays, provided it leads to a stronger, more confident forward returning to Old Trafford.