Joshua Zirkzee: Agreement reached between Roma and Man United star over January transfer | OneFootball

Another highly-rated striker is edging closer to leaving Manchester United after failing to crack the Premier League.

The Red Devils signed Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta in a £72m deal in 2023. The young Dane struggled to lead United’s attack on his own.

Accordingly, the Premier League giants brought in Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for a fee of around €42.5m a year later. However, their attack remained toothless. 

Last summer, United recruited Benjamin Sesko before shipping out Hojlund to Napoli. Now, Zirkzee is also eyeing a return to Serie A.

Zirkzee agrees to join Roma

It has been widely reported that AS Roma are pushing to sign Joshua Zirkzee from United in the winter transfer window.

Earlier this month, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Roma sporting director Frederic Massara travelled to London to discuss Zirkzee’s potential transfer.

Now, as per Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo, the Giallorossi have reached an agreement with the 24-year-old centre-forward over a January move.

It is further reported that Roma’s negotiations with United over a loan deal with an option to buy are “progressing well”.

Early today, ESPN claimed that United are “set to delay any decision” on Zirkzee’s future until later in the January window due to injuries and Africa Cup of Nations departures.

The ex-Bologna star, who was once labelled as a “special” player by Thiago Motta, is “conscious that he needs to be playing more regularly to force his way into the Netherlands squad” ahead of the World Cup next summer.

Ruben Amorim has handed him just three starts in the Premier League so far this term.

Manchester United could sign Semenyo to replace Zirkzee

United are thought to be working on signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. 

The versatile Ghanaian attacker is available for £65m in January. He has “politely” turned down Tottenham Hotspur’s approach, and is now focusing on joining United or Manchester City.

Fabrizio Romano has previously suggested that United may make a room for Semenyo by letting Zirkzee leave.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social