Roma Strike Out in First Attempt to Snap Up Zirkzee | OneFootball

Roma tried to get an early lead in the race to sign Joshua Zirkzee, but Manchester United have no urgency in that regard. Plus, their valuation of the player is robust even though he has struggled for the most part since moving to England.

According to Calciomercato, Giallorossi director Frederic Massara spent a few days in London to speak with some intermediaries and Premier League clubs. The Red Devils haven’t shut the door for the Dutchman. However, they’d rather wait until mid-January. A few of their attackers will partake in AFCON 2025. Plus, Benjamin Sesko is returning from a knee injury. More importantly, they demand at least €35M to part ways with the former Bologna ace.

The Roma ownership has greenlighted an investment in Zirkzee, who’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s favorite target. Though, it remains to be seen whether they can offer that much. If the deal goes through, the formula will likely be a loan with a conditional obligation to buy. The management will decide in the next couple of weeks whether to keep at it or move on to other targets.

In that sense, Tottenham’s Mathys Tel and Corinthians’ Yuri Alberto have lost steam. Instead, Verona’s Giovane and Atletico Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori’s stocks are steady. The latest addition to their shortlist is Albert Gudmundsson. He could decide to escape the highly volatile situation at Fiorentina.

The Giallorossi also talked with Brighton, inquiring about the conditions to terminate Evan Ferguson’s loan spell early.

Our Take on Roma and Zirkzee

It’d be a difficult deal for teams well-armed with cash, even more so for them. They’ll need the player to dig his heels in to join them to be successful, but it’s not looking good for now.