Joshua Zirkzee moves closer to Man Utd exit as struggling striker reaches Juventus agreement with coach Thiago Motta pushing for reunion

The 23-year-old striker has endured a challenging spell since his £36 million ($42m) summer transfer from Bologna, managing just four goals in 27 appearances for the Red Devils. His struggles to adapt have been compounded by his inability to secure a consistent spot in Ruben Amorim’s lineup.

According to Gazzetta, a return to Serie A, where Zirkzee thrived with Bologna last season under coach Thiago Motta, appears to be on the horizon. Juventus are reportedly eager to reunite the striker with his former mentor, who helped him flourish during his breakout campaign in Italy. The ongoing injury struggles of Juventus striker Arek Milik have left Dusan Vlahovic carrying the load in attack. Zirkzee’s arrival would provide much-needed depth and a player tailored to Motta’s tactical style. Juventus’ sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has reportedly been in discussions with Zirkzee’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, who facilitated Douglas Luiz’s transfer to Juventus earlier this year. While a basic agreement between Zirkzee’s representatives and Juventus appears to be in place, a deal has not yet been finalised.

After his most recent substitution which saw the Dutchman leave the pitch in tears, Zirkzee is said to be eager to leave Old Trafford just a few months after his arrival. However, the decision may ultimately rest with new United boss Amorim, who has already excluded Marcus Rashford from his squad in recent weeks, and Zirkzee’s first-half withdrawal against Newcastle only added to the uncertainty surrounding his future at the club.

Financial constraints have left United with limited room for manoeuvring, making player sales essential for securing the funds needed to pursue reinforcements. Zirkzee’s potential departure could help ease those pressures, but the club faces a balancing act in finding a suitor willing to meet their demands. Juventus’ hesitance to commit to a permanent transfer leaves the situation in limbo, with the Bianconeri instead pushing for a January loan until the end of the season.