Man United star eyeing move to Juventus
Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly on the brink of quitting the Premier League side, with Juventus the front runners for his signature.
Zirkzee joined the Red Devils from Bologna last summer but his disappointing form has saw Zirkzee struggle.
Zirkzee may get a chance to justify his £36.5m price tag under new United manager Ruben Amorim, with Amorim insisting he will take his time to assess his squad before making any decisions on January transfers.
According to Italian outletTuttosport however, the future does not look bright for Zirkzee at Old Trafford, claiming that Amorim does not consider the summer signing to be “adequate.”
Despite Man United’s only other recognised striker being Rasmus Hojlund, this is not seen to be a barrier, with Tuttosport claiming that Amorim has requested to sign his former Sporting Lisbon goal machine Viktor Gyokeres as a replacement.
Calciomercato have reported Zirkzee will be transfer listed in January, with the managerial switch from Erik Ten Hag to Amorim the main reason behind the exit.
Calciomercato also noted that Zirkzee is already “open to a change of scenery,” with Zirkzee apparently claiming “the pressure in Manchester is becoming unbearable.”
It is understood that a loan with an obligation to buy is the preferred method for Juventus.
A loan move to Juventus would see Zirkzee link up once again with Thiago Motta, having played under the boss last season for Bologna, where he scored 12 goals in 37 appearances.
The Vlahovic Quandary
Zirkzee is one of Motta’s highest targets to potentially replace Dusan Vlahovic next summer.
The Serb’s contract expires in 2026, with Vlahovic the club’s highest earner. Juventus may potentially look to cash in at the end of the season, if a new deal is not signed, after a summer of heavy spending.
Despite bright spots from time-to-time, Vlahovic has struggled to replicate his form from last season.
The striker has started every game (16) since Thiago Motta took over this season, scoring nine goals in all competitions, six of those in Serie A.
His recent form saw him recalled to Serbia's squad for this week’s Nations League matches, grabbing an assist for Serbia’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday.
In a recent interview, Vlahovic revealed he found it easier to play in Serbia’s tactical system, part of a two with Aleksandar Mitrovic, than he does Motta’s 4-2-3-1 system, where Vlahovic plays as a lone striker.
When asked the differences between playing for Serbia and Juventus, Vlahovic told RSI; “It is a bit easier for me when there is another striker because Mitrovic holds up the ball and engages in aerial duels, so I can make more of my own characteristics and qualities.”
"The coach also does not require many defensive duties from me, so that makes it easier too.
"With my physicality, I can't really run that much and am not as fresh in my finishing when I've been working so hard."
Perhaps instead of replacing Vlahovic, Zirkzee could find success complimenting him in a front two?
In truth, another striker is not Juventus’ top priority in January, with defensive options limited after Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal were ruled out for the season with ACL injuries.
Regardless, according to CalcioMercato’s report, Juventus reportedly have enough financial wiggle room where a loan for Zirkzee could come to fruition