Juventus They are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzy in the upcoming January transfer window to strengthen their front line.
THE Bianconeriwho finished third in the Serie A table last season, failed to challenge for the title in the first half of the 2024-25 season. They are currently sixth in the standings with 31 points from 17 league games, without losing any of them.
As such, according to Spanish news website Fichajes.net, Juventus have identified Zirkzee as a top transfer target ahead of the winter transfer window. Bianconeri Manager Thiago Motta is said to be of the view that the six-capped Netherlands international would be a perfect fit for his current football project.
The Juventus hierarchy are reportedly ready to pay almost £42million to lure Zirkze away from Manchester United next month. They are believed to be keen to reunite the Dutch forward with Mota, who coached the player Bologna.
Zirkzee, who left Bologna for over £36million earlier this summer, was a regular starter in Motta’s Bologna side last season. The former Bayern Munich star scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in 37 total matches in the 2023-24 season.
Pundit labels Manchester United star ‘failure’
Speaking to betting website Paddy Power, Liverpool great Mark Lawrenson shared his honest thoughts on Joshua Zirkzee. Details (h/t Metro):
“Joshua Zirkzee has been a bit of a failure since he joined Manchester United in the summer. I don’t like to use that word but he was just in and out of the team and had no consistency. The attacking players at United are all fighting for their place in the team and it seems that if you don’t play great, there’s no guarantee you’ll be in the team next week.”
Lawrenson, who helped Liverpool win 12 silverware as a player, added:
“This shows me that the coach has a much bigger job on his hands. Every time Ruben Amorim picks a team, it’s different, because he tries to make the best team out of his team. The problem is that the coach has too many players to choose from and he won’t be able to keep them all happy.”
Zirkzee, whose current deal expires in June 2029, has struggled to establish himself as a key player for Manchester United so far this season. He has scored four goals and provided two assists in 25 games in all competitions for his club so far.
The 23-year-old is next likely to be in action for Manchester United in a Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday (December 26).
Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee
