Man United, Roma and Milan in January race for Zirkzee striker | OneFootball

Roma and Milan are preparing for a direct confrontation in the winter market, driven by an increasingly evident need: to find a striker capable of ensuring consistent scoring.

Manchester United, Zirkzee between Roma and Milan: a new race for the striker in the January market

The two clubs, already involved in past negotiations and dealings, might find themselves competing for a profile well-acquainted with Serie A and seemingly intent on returning.

A shared goal: Joshua Zirkzee

According to reports from Corriere della Sera, the name that unites the two managements is Joshua Zirkzee, who joined Manchester United in 2024 after an excellent season with Bologna. However, his transfer for 42.5 million euros did not have the expected follow-up: few minutes, little space, no real chance to make an impact.

At Trigoria, the Zirkzee track has been monitored for several weeks. The Dutchman is considered an ideal profile to offer technical and physical solutions in a department that needs renewal. However, in recent hours, Milan has also reactivated contacts, returning to a target already evaluated more than a year ago. At the time, sources close to the negotiation say, Zirkzee would have declared: “I’ve made my choice, now I want to take on a new challenge.” However, that challenge did not turn out to be so rich in opportunities.

The conditions of Manchester United

The most interesting aspect, market operators report, concerns the formula: United would be willing to accept a loan without an obligation to buy. This condition would pave the way for a tactical deal, allowing the Italian clubs to assess the player's performance until the end of the season before making definitive decisions.

Massara for Roma and Tare for Milan have already started exploring the feasibility of the operation, exchanging information and evaluating the economic scenarios related to the salary and management of the card.

The desire for Serie A and the World Cup factor

Zirkzee has never hidden his desire to return to the league that established him. So far, with United, he has accumulated only 90 minutes in total, spread over five appearances, only one of which was from the start. Insufficient numbers for a striker who aims to carve out a place in the Dutch squad ahead of the next World Cup.

“For me, it’s essential to play consistently,” he reportedly confided to people close to the environment. A statement that carries weight, considering that Koeman needs to assess his form before choosing the squad for the United States.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.