Joshua Zirkzee’s Manchester United Future Hangs in the Balance as Serie A Calls
Joshua Zirkzee faces an uncertain Manchester United future as Juventus and Napoli reportedly consider a loan move for the forward.
Daniele Quaranta
Updated on 21 August 2026
Juventus and Napoli are both showing genuine interest in Joshua Zirkzee, with the Manchester United forward reportedly ready to leave Old Trafford this summer.
Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini has stayed coy when asked directly about a move for the Dutchman, not ruling it out while offering little detail.
That leaves the prospect of a deal open, even as Juventus continue to prioritise defensive reinforcements elsewhere.
Zirkzee’s Struggles Have Outlasted Two Managers
Zirkzee joined Manchester United in a £36m deal from Bologna in the summer of 2024, scoring on his Premier League debut before struggling to build on that start.
His numbers since have been modest: 9 goals and 4 assists in 71 appearances across his time at the club.
The problems didn’t end when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January. Michael Carrick, who took interim charge before signing on permanently through 2028, has used Zirkzee just six times since taking the job full-time.
Reports describe Zirkzee as discouraged and disappointed by his situation, pointing specifically to the constant changes in coaching staff that haven’t produced the turnaround he was hoping for.
He reportedly turned down several offers in January, still believing he could succeed at Old Trafford. That patience appears to have run out heading into this summer.
Why Juventus Are Interested In Zirkzee
Juventus are working on a loan deal for the forward, with the structure understood to hinge on an obligation to buy rather than a simple option.
A return to Italy would reunite him with familiar surroundings from his time at Bologna, even if his old coach there, Thiago Motta, is no longer part of that picture after his sacking last year.
Zirkzee’s Serie A pedigree, built during his Bologna spell, remains the clearest explanation for Juventus’ interest, even with Ottolini declining to add further detail publicly.
Napoli Also Chasing Zirkzee’s Signature
Napoli have emerged as a genuine rival to Juventus for Zirkzee, giving the forward a second Serie A suitor to weigh up.
That competition keeps a Serie A return firmly in view, even though Ottolini’s public comments haven’t clarified exactly where Juventus’ pursuit stands.
For Manchester United, having two Italian clubs interested strengthens their negotiating hand regardless of which one Zirkzee eventually prefers.
How A Zirkzee Transfer Could Be Structured
Manchester United are believed to value Zirkzee in the €35m to €40m range, and are said to be open to creative deal structures rather than insisting on an outright sale.
Any loan agreed with Juventus or Napoli is likely to include an obligation to buy, turning what looks like a temporary move into a longer-term commitment for whichever club signs him.
That structure would give United certainty over eventually recouping a fee, while giving Zirkzee the fresh start he appears to be seeking.
What Happens Next For Zirkzee’s Future
Zirkzee’s situation remains unresolved for now, with Juventus and Napoli both continuing to monitor developments rather than moving to a concrete agreement.
Juventus have also identified defensive strengthening as a priority, meaning any Zirkzee deal would need to sit alongside other business rather than replace it.
With his patience under Carrick apparently exhausted, a Serie A return looks increasingly likely to be a matter of when, not if, before the summer window closes.
Daniele Quaranta
Daniele Quaranta grew up in Bergamo watching Atalanta from the curva nord with his father, and that upbringing gave him a deep appreciation for the tactical and emotional layers that Italian football carries unlike any other league in the world. He has spent years studying the game through a decidedly Italian lens, paying close attention to how formations evolve across seasons, how managers adapt under pressure, and what historical patterns reveal about the modern game.
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