Amidst a challenging season for Manchester United, forward Joshua Zirkzee has caught the attention of Italian giants Juventus, who are in pursuit of a successor to the departing Dusan Vlahovic.
Under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United endured a rocky 2024/25 campaign, finishing a disappointing 15th in the Premier League and falling to Tottenham in the Europa League final. With European football out of reach this season, Amorim’s position is on shaky ground unless the Red Devils secure a European berth for next term.
In a bid to revitalise their attack, United splashed out £200m on the acquisitions of Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo during the summer. Despite these reinforcements, the Red Devils have been struggling for goals, with Rasmus Hojlund and Zirkzee jointly netting a mere seven league goals last season.
Hojlund has since embarked on a loan spell with Serie A champions Napoli, while Zirkzee, recovering from a late-season injury, remains a part of Amorim’s plans. The Dutch international recently made a comeback, featuring against League Two side Grimsby in the League Cup and playing a full hour in United’s 3-2 league victory over Burnley before the international break.
Reports from Italian outlet Tuttosport now indicate that Juventus consider Zirkzee among a shortlist of forwards to fill the void left by Vlahovic. Alongside Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca, Bologna’s Santiago Castro, and Parma’s Matteo Pellegrino, Zirkzee is being monitored by the Turin-based club as a potential target for upcoming transfer windows.
Although Zirkzee has struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford, he has admirers in Turin. Tuttosport notes that despite Amorim’s lack of faith in the forward, there are those in Italy who believe in the young striker’s talents.
Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe has also vouched for Zirkzee’s potential, describing him as a “real baller” with the capacity to shine at United once he gains consistent playing time. Sharpe, speaking in May, expressed confidence in Zirkzee’s ability to become a star for Manchester United, provided he can string together a series of regular appearances.
As United seek to turn their fortunes around, all eyes will be on how the club and Zirkzee navigate these turbulent waters, with Juventus lurking as a possible destination for the young talent.
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