Roma Given Huge Boost in Joshua Zirkzee Pursuit After Man United Talks
Zirkzee is the Giallorossi's No 1 target next month.
Roma have been given a significant boost in their pursuit of Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee.
Joshua Zirkzee Open To Leaving Manchester United
The Serie A club are understood to have opened talks with United over the forward, and a package worth €40million has been tabled.
Zirkzee, who moved to Old Trafford from Bologna in 2024 in a £36.5m deal, initially wanted to stay and fight for his place, but his limited minutes in recent weeks could see him leave in January.
According to Il Messaggero, the proposal is made up of a €5m loan fee and €30m buy option. United’s reported asking price stands at €50m, but I Giallorossi hope to reach a compromise.
The Dutchman has played just 364 minutes in the Premier League this season, scoring one goal, and has once again found himself consigned to the bench after Benjamin Sesko’s recovery from injury.
In truth, his career at United has failed to take off. A return to Italy, where he impressed between 2022-2024, could be the best course of action for all parties.
Zirkzee is aware he needs to be playing regularly to force his way into the Netherlands squad for next summer’s World Cup, and he would be open to exploring offers next month.
One stumbling block remains, however.
United will delay making a decision, having been depleted by injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Roma, passi avanti per Zirkzee: intesa già trovata con il giocatore, viaggia bene anche la trattativa con il Manchester United per il prestito con diritto di riscatto @cmdotcom
— Daniele Longo (@86_longo) December 23, 2025
Roma Joshua Zirkzee Talks Progressing Well
As reported by FootItalia, the Friedkin ownership gave the green light to begin negotiations. Zirkzee was identified as Roma’s top target, and as such, the club want a deal done as soon as possible.
Now, they have been given a boost with journalist Daniele Longo claiming that progress has been made.
He provided an update on X, writing: “Agreement already reached with the player, negotiations with Manchester United for the loan with option to buy are also progressing well.”
This comes despite United’s selection crisis, leaving Sesko and Zirkzee as their only recognised senior strikers.
But that does not mean that the matter will prove to be plain sailing. Indeed, Sky Italia have thrown a late curveball, reporting that United are not currently open to a loan deal.
Roma could therefore offer the option of a mandatory permanent deal, but these terms must first be thrashed out.
For now, the Giallorossi must play the waiting game, with any Zirkzee developments to come late in the window.
Dan Davis
Dan is an experienced sports journalist and part-time lecturer. An expert on Serie A and Italian football, he has produced content for the likes of the Daily Mail, Reach PLC, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo and GRV Media. While Channel 4's iconic Football Italia was a bit before his time, the nostalgia - and pastries - fuelled his love of all things Calcio.
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