Report: Man United set £35m January price tag on forward | OneFootball

Roma Push for Zirkzee as January Calculations Intensify

Roma’s January planning is beginning to sharpen, with renewed focus on Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee. Credit must go to Corriere dello Sport for outlining how sporting director Florent Ghisolfi’s successor, Massara, continues to monitor developments closely, balancing ambition with financial reality. This is a move driven by opportunity rather than impulse, and one shaped as much by Manchester United’s uncertainty as Roma’s attacking needs.

The original report paints a vivid picture of split attention, with Roma securing a morale boosting league win while events at Old Trafford unfolded. The “pyrotechnic 4-4 draw” between United and Bournemouth mattered not for the scoreline alone, but for the symbolic late cameo of Zirkzee, “who came on when there was little left to play and even fewer balls to touch”. For Roma, those details matter, even if they appear minor on the surface.

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Gasperini System Working but Lacking Goals

Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma have built an attack that prioritises structure and collective movement. As Corriere dello Sport notes, “Roma’s attack today is based on a system, not on strikers”. Thirteen different scorers underline the effectiveness of that approach, yet the individual returns remain underwhelming. Matías Soulé leads with four league goals, while others lag behind alarmingly.

That imbalance explains why Massara’s brief is clear. The club want “a real centre-forward, someone who can convert his play into crucial goals”. Zirkzee fits that profile, not just stylistically, but psychologically. The report states that he “wants Roma, feels ready to start over, and believes Gasperini is the right man to relaunch the club after a difficult year and a half in the Premier League”.

Loan Strategy and United Pressure

Roma’s proposed structure reflects UEFA constraints rather than hesitation. An outright €35 million deal is unrealistic, so the plan revolves around “a high-cost loan, even above €5-6 million, with an obligation to buy in July”. This approach allows Roma to comply with settlement agreement monitoring while keeping leverage on United.

Meetings in London with the player’s entourage and United officials suggest groundwork has already been laid. Delaying agent commissions until the summer also signals intent. Roma are positioning themselves carefully, hoping United’s openness to a solution grows as January approaches.

Alternatives Waiting in Background

Time, however, is not infinite. Gasperini “doesn’t want to wait too long”, and Massara has contingency options ready. Fabio Silva, Yuri Alberto, and even a speculative Beto for Dovbyk exchange are all mentioned. What matters most is managerial conviction. As the report reminds us, “Gasperini will have the final say”. Roma may be running and winning, but to truly compete, they need a forward who can finish the story.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this report provokes mixed emotions. On one hand, Zirkzee’s marginal role in matches like the Bournemouth 4-4 highlights a worrying lack of clarity around his place at Old Trafford. A signing once framed as a long term attacking solution now feels like an unresolved subplot, drifting between development project and expendable asset.

Roma’s interest reads as opportunistic but intelligent. A loan with obligation protects them, while quietly placing pressure on United to acknowledge a misalignment between player profile and tactical demands. For United fans, that is uncomfortable territory. There is an underlying fear that Zirkzee could flourish under Gasperini’s defined system, becoming the kind of focal point United have struggled to develop.

At the same time, the financial structure suggested feels like a compromise rather than a statement. If United accept it, supporters will question whether the club have maximised value or simply chosen expedience. Yet there is also realism here. With squad rebuilding ongoing and Profit and Sustainability rules looming, flexibility matters.