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Manchester United flop approves huge summer move
Aug 02 2026 12:49 · By Tom Olver · 9 Reads
Manchester United are in talks to offload Joshua Zirkzee this summer (Picture: Getty)
Juventus are pressing ahead with their bid to sign Joshua Zirkzee on loan and the Manchester United attacker has approved a proposed move to Turin.
Zirkzee has fallen well short of expectations at Old Trafford following his £36.5million switch from Bologna in 2024, managing only nine goals and four assists in 75 appearances for the Red Devils.
There had been hopes that Michael Carrick’s influence could help Zirkzee turn his fortunes around after two underwhelming years in the north west – but the Dutchman started just one of United’s final ten matches of last season.
Reports emanating out of Manchester last week claimed United had initiated discussions to offload Zirkzee, with club bosses appearing to have run out of patience while waiting for the forward to hit form.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Juventus have emerged as the clear frontrunners to wrap up a deal for Zirkzee and head coach Luciano Spalletti has ‘said yes’ to the prospect of adding the 25-year-old Netherlands international to his frontline.
It’s claimed Juve’s chief football officer Frederic Massara ‘knows Zirkzee well’ having had the versatile striker ‘in his grasp’ last year – and he is determined to get his man this time around.The report adds that the Serie A giants had a ‘full agreement’ with Zirkzee’s entourage 12 months, only for United to pull the plug the club’s move. Roma also missed out on a deal in the January transfer window.
Zirkzee has managed just nine goals in two years with United (Picture: Getty)
The Dutchman is keen to return for a second spell in Serie A (Picture: Getty)
Juve’s latest proposition has been given the green light by Zirkzee’s camp, with the former Bayern Munich and Bologna man greatly ‘intrigued’ by the idea of returning for a second spell in the Italian top flight.
Juventus’ proposed move for Zirkzee would be an initial loan with an option to buy at the end of next season.
While there has some speculation that Francisco Conceicao could be included in Juventus’ deal with United, the winger has made it clear he would prefer to remain in Turin.
Spalletti has approved Juventus’ move for Zirkzee (Picture: Getty)
Zirkzee’s current contract at the Theatre of Dreams is not due to expire until June 2029.