Where Joshua Zirkzee will spend the remainder of the 2026-27 season is now clear.
Unfortunately, the Dutch striker failed to secure a key role at Manchester United. While he is undoubtedly a baller, unplayable with the ball at his feet, he has never truly looked comfortable with the intensity of the Premier League.
Not many can play at their own pace in England and still shine, the way Dimitar Berbatov once did, given how relentlessly the game is played here, with players rarely given room to breathe.
Zirkzee never quite convinced for a key role
So, while he showed glimpses of brilliance thanks to his technical ability, he never found real consistency.
Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim and now head coach Michael Carrick have all, through their United team selections, shown they did not fully trust him.
As a result, Zirkzee kept being linked with a move away, and now, this summer, it seems he could finally be on the move.
Last Saturday, reports suggested he was joining Fiorentina, with the Viola even sending through a transfer proposal to the player and the club.
But then Sunday arrived, and news broke that the United number eleven had turned them down. It was subsequently revealed that he had decided to move to Juventus instead.
Juventus pressing for Zirkzee deal
According to Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio, the Bianconeri have reacted swiftly to Zirkzee choosing them.
“Juventus have submitted an offer to Manchester United for Zirkzee,” he says.
He explains further: “The Bianconeri have submitted an official offer for a loan worth approximately €2.5 million, with a buyout option set at €30 million.”
While the buyout option is €5 million (£4.2m) short of what INEOS want, Di Marzio clarifies in a follow-up update: “Discussions are continuing between Juventus and Manchester United.”
The two sides will surely find a compromise and strike a deal, with everything suggesting all parties want this transfer to go through.
That said, with an agreement expected, all eyes will now turn to whether the Red Devils go ahead and replace Zirkzee. It would be surprising if they do not, as that would mean intentionally leaving a hole in their squad.
The Peoples Person Reliability Assessment
Overall credibility: 9/10
Why?
✅ Reported by a source that is reliable for Serie A transfer news
✅ Zirkzee has been heavily linked with a Serie A return
TPP view
We believe Zirkzee to Juventus is on, with a reputable source saying he has chosen them. All that is left now is for the clubs to agree a deal.
Featured image by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
