Joshua Zirkzee may be considered to be a misfit by Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, yet the 24-year-old could last at the club longer than his boss.
Dusan Vlahovic, Juve’s top scorer every season since he switched from rivals Fiorentina in January 2022, has frequently been linked with United and is on Amorim's wishlist.
Recently there was media speculation in England and Italy of a winter transfer window swap involving the Serbia star and Zirkzee, who was wanted by the then Juve boss Thiago Motta who coached him at Bologna.
Zirkzee, who appeared as an 80th-minute substitute in yesterday’s one-sided clash against Manchester City, is surplus to requirements under Amorim and his favored yet flawed 3-4-3 tactical formation.
Although there is a high price tag on Zirkzee’s head, this seems extraordinary. Zirkzee only netted 13 Serie A goals in his two campaigns for Bologna under Motta, and bagged just three Premier League goals in 32 United appearances last term.
Juve have kept singling out the Netherlands center forward, as a potential replacement for Vlahovic, and again explored bringing him to Turin during the summer.
Manchester United swap deal
A swap cash deal could only occur in the next winter transfer window, unless Vlahovic agrees to a new deal at Juventus. However, talks collapsed with the 25-year-old when the club reportedly offered him a much lower salary than his annual current wage of €12 millon (US$14.1m), which makes him the highest earner in Serie A.
However, things are not great at United for Amorim. He is under immense pressure, and appears to be part of the English tabloid’s press latest witchhunt.
After suffering a 3-0 defeat at City, the club find themselves making their worst Premier League start since 1992/92 when Sir Alex Ferguson was at the helm. Despite that poor start, United went on to be crowned champions.
Amorim’s record at United makes the same scenario seem like mission impossible, with the Portuguese head coach expected to be axed before Christmas unless things dramatically alter. A sacking would potentially scupper any chance of a swap involving Zirkzee and Vlahovic.
A new United manager may wish to implement Zirkzee, who is on the radar of a handful of Serie A sides, and have no desire to bring in Vlahovic. Although it could be the reverse and Vlahovic is a wanted man by United.
Vlahovic fails to net
Vlahovic is slowly running down his contract with Juve, and after two goals in as many games was handed his first start this season for the Derby d’Italia. He was given little service throughout the game, and ultimately substituted during the thrilling second half.
Despite the high-octane 4-3 triumph over Inter Milan resulting in a goal feast, Vlahovic failed to net and could return to his supersub role when Juve tackle Hellas Verona and Atalanta this month.
His options for next season appear to be dwindling, having turned down both AC Milan and Inter during the summer. A Premier League switch was attempted by his agent, who made a mid-July trip to England in order to try and broker a deal.
There was no attraction of big money deals in the Saudi Pro League and Turkish Super Lig for Vlahovic, as he prefers to play in Europe ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup finals.
La Liga and Premier League interest
Leading La Liga clubs showed serious interest, without any concrete bids during the summer, while Premier League teams ended up being dismissive of his steep salary demands and the high transfer fee.
Unless Amorim can make a miraculous recovery for United, then Vlahovic’s potential future at Old Trafford may be in severe jeopardy.
This would leave the striker needing to reconsider his options, which could include signing an extended contract on a lesser salary with Juventus but score a €4m (US$4.7m) loyalty bonus.