Roma have reportedly put Joshua Zirkzee back on their transfer radar, while the Manchester United striker has also been linked with a move back to Serie A.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian club believe the deal could be done for around €20-€25 million, which would represent a significant drop from the fee United paid to sign him from Bologna in 2024.
Zirkzee’s future at Old Trafford looks far from certain. The Dutch striker has yet to settle permanently at Man United, and as the club head into another crucial summer under Michael Carrick, there is a real chance that attacking changes will be made.
Man United have already secured Champions League football after a strong finish, which gives them market traction but also raises the level of expectations for the team.
Zirkzee has joined the much-anticipated Man United
Zirkzee arrived at United with a lot of excitement around him. He impressed at Bologna, where his technical level, link-up play and intelligence made him one of the most interesting strikers in Serie A.
United agreed a €42 million deal for him in July 2024, seeing him as a player who could compete with Rasmus Hojlund and provide an alternative in attack.
The issue is that his United never started in the way many expected.
He clearly has talent, but he didn’t look naturally suited to the pace and intensity of the Premier League.
ESPN calculates his 2025-26 Premier League numbers with two goals and one assist from five starts and 17 substitute appearances, telling the story of a player who was more on the fringes than in the middle of the team.
That is why the interest of the Roma makes sense. Zirkzee already knows Italian football, and his best club reached Serie A.
He is not a penalty box striker, but Roma could use him in a versatile role, perhaps as a left midfielder or a second striker.
A return to Serie A could revive Zirkzee’s career
The Gazzetta report also raises that idea, saying he could work as a left-wing trequartista if he moves to the Italian capital.
For Man United, the question is whether selling him now would be wise or early.
On the other hand, taking around €20m-€25m would mean accepting a clear loss on the initial transfer fee.
On the other hand, if Carrick doesn’t see him as a big part of their plans, United may decide it’s better to move him on and reinvest elsewhere.
Roma have tried to target Zirkzee in the past, with reports from the start of the season suggesting they were already keeping a close eye on his situation.
A January move didn’t happen, as United’s management situation changed and the club wanted to reassess things, but Roma’s interest hasn’t waned.
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