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Joshua Zirkzee continues to remain a peripheral figure at Manchester United this season despite Ruben Amorim’s need for a clinical centre-forward.
The Dutchman is yet to start a single game in all competitions this term, and has accrued a grand total of 90 minutes of action across five substitute appearances.
He remained a unused substitute in the last two Premier League games despite the Red Devils needing a goal. That shows Amorim has very little faith in his goalscoring abilities.
As a result of his lack of minutes, the 24-year-old has not been called up to the Netherlands national team. And with the World Cup just months away, the former Bologna ace is keen to reverse the situation.
Joshua Zirkzee frustrated with current situation
He is looking to jump ship in January, and while the United head coach will need him during that period due to Bryan Mbeumo and Amad’s AFCON duties, he is keen to play regularly.
Despite interest from English top-flight clubs, a return to Italy is what the former Bayern Munich forward is most keen on. And naturally, a lot of clubs have thrown their hat into the ring.
As things stand, AS Roma seem to be in pole position with manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who wanted him at Atalanta as well, pushing for his inclusion.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, they are planning a loan assault in the winter, and want to include a purchase option set at €35 million.
Gasperini is a big fan
The Giallorossi are open to paying half of Zirkzee’s current wages during the loan period, while they would prefer to negotiate a lower wage packet should they buy him outright in the summer.
“To understand the feasibility of the Joshua Zirkzee deal, three assumptions must be made: the striker rarely plays for Manchester United and is sad; in the year of the World Cup, he would like to give his chances a chance by scoring goals.
“And he would like to do so in Serie A, where he knows well (after his boom at Bologna); and, above all, in Roma, where he would find Gian Piero Gasperini, who had already wanted him during his time at Atalanta.
“The Giallorossi are pursuing the Dutch striker without hesitation, confident that Manchester United will maintain their openness to a loan with an option to buy (to be determined) in early January, as they have unofficially shown in recent days to various elite clubs who have inquired about the player.
Roma’s proposal
“The question of how much he’ll have to pay for the buy-out option in June, should he choose to exercise it, will be another matter that will only arise at the end of the season. We’ll see: it certainly won’t be less than €35 million, the same amount Roma would theoretically have to pay for Evan Ferguson in June if they wanted to keep the Irishman.
“The same assessments will be made for Joshua’s current salary of €3.5 million per season plus bonuses: from January onwards, the Giallorossi would pay half that, then have to renegotiate the full amount at the end of the season. These discussions are yet to be finalized, but they nonetheless demonstrate Roma’s genuine interest in the striker.”
The United No. 11 currently earns £105,000 gross per week (via capology). Whether the Red Devils accept the proposal remains to be seen.
United had bought him for €42.5 million last summer, and it was expected that they would want at least as much to let him leave. Things will become clearer once AFCON kicks off and when Benjamin Sesko’s injury situation clears up.
Should he get regular chances, he might change his mind regarding leaving. Or else, INEOS will need to take a call on the final terms of a January transfer.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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