Joshua Zirkzee is looking to leave Manchester United due to a lack of playing time. Discussions are underway about a possible move back to Italy.
According to Napoli Magazine, Giovanni Manna, Napoli’s sporting director, is engaged in talks with Zirkzee’s representatives regarding a transfer to the Serie A champions.
Napoli sees Zirkzee as an important target, while Manchester United is expected to ask for £30 million (€35 million) to break even on the striker.
Since joining from Bologna in the summer of 2024 for £36.5 million (€42 million), Zirkzee has struggled to secure a regular place in the team.
Reasons for Leaving Manchester United
The primary reason for Zirkzee’s departure from Old Trafford is his limited game time.
At Bologna, he was a consistent starter, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in the 2023/24 season, which earned him frequent selections for the Netherlands national team.
Manchester United initially signed him to support Rasmus Hojlund as a backup striker. However, reports suggested that Erik ten Hag regretted the signing due to concerns over Zirkzee’s fitness when he arrived.
In his first season with United, Zirkzee made 49 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing three assists. This season, he has played in just 20 matches, with two goals and one assist in 546 minutes.
Consequently, he has lost his place in the national team and is eager to find more opportunities elsewhere.
His chances of regular play at Manchester United appear slim. Matheus Cunha and captain Bruno Fernandes are key in attack, while Benjamin Sesko has emerged as a valuable striker option. Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo also sit ahead of Zirkzee in the lineup.
Manchester United is also looking to sell him as part of a broader plan to offload several players this summer.
Zirkzee joins other players like Andre Onana, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Hojlund on the transfer list.
As part of the club’s efforts to achieve financial stability, unloading players is a priority.
If they manage to secure £30 million for Zirkzee, it would be considered a moderate success.
Interest from Serie A
Given that both Zirkzee and United want to part ways, a move to Italy seems likely.
During his time at United, interest from clubs like Juventus, AS Roma, Inter, AC Milan, and Como has emerged.
His successful final season at Bologna, where he earned a spot in the league’s Team of the Year and was named Best Under-23 Player, highlighted his abilities.
He played a crucial role in helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 60 years.
Despite drawing comparisons to a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his physical presence and technical skills, he struggled with the Premier League‘s demands.
The strong interest from Italian clubs shows that they don’t view his time at United as a failure, but rather an unsuitable environment.
Competing with Hojlund at Napoli
The discussions around a potential move to Napoli have drawn attention because several former Manchester United players are already on their roster.
Antonio Conte signed Scott McTominay in 2024, and Romelu Lukaku is also part of the team, along with Hojlund, who is on loan.
Napoli aims to make Hojlund’s loan move permanent, meeting their £38 million (€44 million) obligation at the end of the season.
Hojlund has been impressive under Conte, scoring 13 goals and assisting four times in 36 games and contributing to their Supercopa Italiana win, a significant improvement compared to his time at United.
If Zirkzee joins Napoli, he would have to compete with Hojlund for a starting position, despite Zirkzee leaving Manchester United to seek more playing time.
Thus, while a return to Italy seems logical for Zirkzee, Napoli may not be the ideal choice at this moment.
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