Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee in the upcoming January transfer window to bolster their front line.
The Bianconeriwho finished third in the Serie A table last season, failed to win 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, and have not lost a single one.
Therefore, according to Spanish website Fichajes.net, Juventus have identified Zirkzee as a top transfer target ahead of the winter transfer window. Bianconeri manager Thiago Motta is reportedly of the opinion that the six-capped Dutch international would fit perfectly into his current football project.
The Juventus hierarchy are reportedly ready to fork out close to £42m to lure Zirkzee away from Manchester United next month. They are believed to be looking to reunite the Dutch striker with Motta, who coached the player at Bologna.
Zirkzee, who left Bologna for more than £36m earlier this summer, was a key starter at Motta’s Bologna last season. The former Bayern Munich star scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in a total of 37 games in the 2023-24 season.
The expert labeled the Manchester United star a ‘failure’
Speaking to betting website Paddy Power, Liverpool great Mark Lawrenson shared his honest opinion on Joshua Zirkzee. He elaborated (h/t Metro):
“Joshua Zirkzee has been a bit of a failure since he joined Manchester United this summer. I don’t like to use that word but he’s just been in and out of the team and has had no consistency. The forwards at United are all fighting for their place in the team and it seems that if you don’t play outstanding, 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 manager has a much bigger job on his hands. Every time Ruben Amorim picks a team, it’s different, because he tries to develop his best team from his team. The problem is that the manager has too many players to choose from and he won’t be able to make everyone happy.”
Zirkzee, whose current contract expires in June 2029, has struggled to establish himself as a key player for Manchester United so far this season. So far, he has registered four goals and two assists for his club in 25 games across the competition.
The 23-year-old is next likely to feature for Manchester United in their Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday (December 26).
Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee
