Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly eager to stay and fight for his place at Manchester United this summer, even as the club remains open to selling the 25-year-old forward.
That’s according to MailOnline, which reports the Dutch forward wanted to leave in January but was told by the club it wouldn’t be possible. He’s now said to view European football as an opportunity worth staying for, rather than a reason to push through an exit.
Squeezed Out of the Picture
Zirkzee has never nailed down a regular starting spot at Old Trafford, failing to force his way into either Ruben Amorim’s or Michael Carrick’s first-choice lineup since arriving from Bologna in a £36.5million deal. The numbers tell their own story: five goals in 56 Premier League appearances is nowhere near what United hoped for when they signed him.
The arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo over the past 12 months have only pushed him further down the pecking order. He’s arguably better suited to a deeper, No.10-style role, though even there minutes look hard to come by under Carrick.
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Zirkzee started United’s opening pre-season friendly against Wrexham, a game the Reds lost 1-0 in Helsinki, and it did little to change Carrick’s calculus on where the Dutchman fits. Still, for all his struggles on the pitch, he remains one of the more popular figures in the United dressing room.
United’s previous stance on blocking a permanent Zirkzee sale
Juventus Circling, But Not Convinced
Juventus have reportedly asked about the terms of a potential deal as they look to replace Dusan Vlahovic, though the Italian side’s preference remains a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani, an agreement United and Zirkzee’s camp will be watching closely given the ongoing stalemate.
Juventus interest and United’s valuation explained
With Juventus yet to reach an agreement with PSG for Kolo Muani, and Zirkzee himself seemingly content to stay and compete, United’s summer plans for the forward line remain far from settled.