Just in: ‘Wonderful’ Man Utd star looks destined for January move as top suitor accepts key condition | OneFootball

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee could end up joining Roma in January following a breakthrough in the negotiations between the two clubs.

The 24-year-old has been unhappy with his limited playing time this season. He only started three matches following Benjamin Sesko’s injury in November.

While he wasn’t able to inflict the damage against Everton and West Ham United, Zirkzee was lauded for his ‘wonderful’ display against Crystal Palace, when he forged an equaliser almost out of nothing.

However, the Dutchman was relegated to the bench once more in the last two fixtures, with Ruben Amorim preferring to rely on the attacking trident of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount.

And with Sesko now back from injury, Zirkzee finds himself at the bottom of the totem pole.

Roma willing to wait late January to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Man Utd

In recent weeks, it has been reported that Zirkzee is becoming increasingly ‘miserable’ with his situation at the club. This coincided with keen interest from Roma, who emerged as his staunchest admirers.

The Giallorossi are desperate for attacking reinforcement, as Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson haven’t been too prolific. Hence, Gian Piero Gasperini has requested the signing of the United star whom he already pursued during his tenure at Atalanta.

(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

With Mbemo and Amad Diallo leaving United to participate in the African Cup of Nations, Amorim is unlikely to sanction the departure of any forward, as his attacking department is already pared down to the bones.

But according to esteemed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Roma are willing to wait until AFCON’s conclusion to sign the former Bologna star, thus offering MUFC a convenient solution.

The final match of the tournament will take place on January 18, so Man Utd’s African contingent should return to Carrington by January 20 at the latest.

Roma consider Zirkzee their Plan A

The source adds that Roma are gunning for a six-month loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season, which could become an obligation under certain conditions.

Gasperini’s club is also keeping tabs on Everton’s Beto and Genoa’s Jeff Ekhator, but Zirkzee remains their absolute priority.

While Man Utd supporters would be loath to part ways with a striker whom they have grown fond of, it would be difficult to convince the Netherlands international to stay amidst his limited playing minutes, especially with the World Cup on the horizon.