Joshua Zirkzee seeks new beginnings as Juventus eyes a loan move; Man United striker struggles in the Premier League, prompting potential return to Serie A in January.
Joshua Zirkzee, the 23-year-old Dutch striker who moved to Manchester United from Bologna for £36.5 million this summer, is already facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford. Struggling to make a notable impact in the Premier League, Zirkzee may have a chance to revive his career as Juventus is considering a January transfer move for him.
Since joining, Zirkzee has played eight times for Manchester United in the Premier League, managing to score only one goal. His sole goal was during a 1-0 win against Fulham on the season's opening day. Since then, he hasn't scored, raising doubts about his capability to succeed in the English top tier.
Despite the high expectations, Zirkzee’s performances have been disappointing. His failure to score goals and his inconsistent play have put him under scrutiny, especially as Manchester United continues to have offensive challenges. This has led some to suggest that he may not be well-suited for the Premier League. West Ham legend Paolo Di Canio recently remarked on Zirkzee's difficulties, suggesting that he might find a better fit in a return to Serie A.
Speaking to the Italian publication Tuttosport, Di Canio remarked, 'For the Premier League, he [Zirkzee] is a bit too slow. Maybe he will prove me wrong with goals and great performances, but there they attack you straightaway.'
Di Canio mentioned that the striker had previously shown his potential at Bologna and suggested that returning to Italy could benefit both Zirkzee and Juventus. The notion of Zirkzee rejoining Serie A is gaining support, with Di Canio even suggesting that Juventus might consider acquiring the player on loan. Currently, Juventus seeks a striker with different traits from their existing options, especially Dusan Vlahovic. Zirkzee's ability to move the ball and engage teammates could make him a valuable asset for the Italian team.
Juventus is reportedly encouraged to pursue Zirkzee in the upcoming January transfer window. With the club seeking reinforcements in attack, the Dutchman may provide a solution. A loan move, with the possibility of a permanent transfer, has been suggested as a potential option for both clubs. Luciano Moggi, a former Juventus chief, further fueled speculation by commenting on the need for attacking reinforcements at the club.
He told Calciomercato, 'The team is certainly lacking in attack... Zirkzee is one [option], he moves the ball around very well.' Moggi’s endorsement adds weight to the possibility of Zirkzee joining Juventus in January. For Manchester United, allowing Zirkzee to leave on loan could alleviate some of the pressure on the young striker and open up space in their squad.
United already has Rasmus Højlund and Marcus Rashford competing for the striker role, making Zirkzee’s path to regular playing time more difficult. By loaning him to Juventus, United could provide Zirkzee with the opportunity to rediscover his form in a league that suits his playing style. For Juventus, Zirkzee’s arrival could add a different dimension to their attack.
While Zirkzee might not be the prolific scorer Juventus is seeking, his talent in involving teammates and creating opportunities would complement their existing system. His experience with Bologna in Serie A shows that he is capable of performing at a high level in Italy.
Joshua Zirkzee's future at Manchester United remains uncertain, but a January loan move to Juventus could offer a fresh start for the Dutch striker. With interest from Juventus increasing and Manchester United open to the possibility of a loan deal, the January transfer window could see Zirkzee return to Serie A. Both clubs could benefit from this arrangement, enabling Zirkzee to find his place in a league better suited to his skills while providing Juventus with the attacking reinforcements they need.
