Joshua Zirkzee eyed by Juventus after key decision on Man United starManchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is in line for a return to Serie A this summer as Juventus prepare a fresh bid, according to the latest report from Italy.Failing to AdaptZirkzee, 24, has failed to adapt to the speed and intensity of English football since his £36.5 million move from Bologna in the summer of 2024.Nine goals and four assists in 70 games for the Red Devils paint a picture of a misfiring centre-forward without much expectation of improvement. The Dutchman remains a very popular member of the dressing room at Old Trafford, while his versatility across the frontline and positive attitude make him an ideal squad player.If, and there is little basis to justify this, the 6’4 hulk could find his shooting boots, he would be an excellent back-up to Benjamin Sesko as he complements, rather than simply fills in for, the Slovenia international.Teams in Italy certainly remain appreciative of his talents, with AS Roma and Juventus making advances to strike a loan deal in the January window.
Atalanta, Como and Napoli have also registered interest.But it is the Old Lady who are understood to be leading the charge to bring the Bayern Munich academy graduate back to Serie A, where he won the league’s Young Player of the Year in his final campaign for Bologna.The Old Lady’s Green LightItalian outlet Calcio Mercato reveals Juventus are “back on the trail” for Zirkzee as the summer window looms.A new bid is in the works after manager Luciano Spalletti, who replaced Igor Thiago – Tottenham Hotspur’s failed experiment – in October, gave his “green light to the move”.The report states United are “ready to listen to offers” with a price tag set at €30m (£26m). If Zirkzee were sold for less than this, it would incur a negative PSR hit on the outstanding book value from the deal with Bologna.The player himself is described as “open to a change of scenery” after two difficult campaigns in Manchester as he looks to “relaunch his career in Serie A”.Final ThoughtsIf the Red Devils can bank £26m for Zirkzee this summer to fund the pursuit of a more potent option up top, such as AFC Bournemouth breakout star Eli Junior Kroupi, it would be a great move for the Red Devils.The 19-year-old French starlet has enjoyed a stellar debut campaign with the Cherries as United ramp up their interest ahead of the summer window.
Similarly, the Dutchman’s prospective return to the league in which he first made his name at one of the country’s heavyweights is another positive development, particularly as Italian football lends itself to his skillset.This move would represent a win-win for both parties; a clean break before the marriage descends into resentment. Featured image Ion Alcoba Beitia via Getty Imagesonline pollsThe 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