Joshua Zirkzee has been unhappy at Old Trafford due to limited playing time, and his departure from Manchester United seems likely.
For the former Bologna striker, a move back to Italy appears to be the most probable option, with discussions now underway.
Napoli Magazine reports that Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, is in serious talks with Zirkzee’s representatives about a potential transfer to the Italian champions.
He’s a top target for the Serie A club, as Manchester United seeks a fee of £30 million (€35 million) to recoup their investment in the Dutch international.
Zirkzee joined United in summer 2024 for £36.5 million (€42 million), but he has struggled to secure a regular spot in the team and now plays infrequently.
Reasons for Zirkzee’s Departure from Manchester United
The primary reason for Zirkzee’s exit from Old Trafford this summer is his lack of playing time.
At Bologna, he was a consistent starter, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in 37 appearances during the 2023/24 season, and he regularly featured for the Netherlands national team.
Manchester United signed him as a promising young player to support Rasmus Hojlund as a backup striker and to play as a second striker.
However, reports indicate that Erik ten Hag regretted the signing, and Zirkzee’s arrival out of shape put him at a disadvantage from the start.
In his first season at United, he made 49 appearances, scoring seven goals and three assists. This season, he has appeared in less than half that number.
So far, he has played 20 matches, with two goals and one assist in 546 minutes.
Therefore, it is not surprising that he has lost his place in the Netherlands national team, as he seeks more game time to regain his position.
Staying at Manchester United offers limited chances for more playing time.
Matheus Cunha is becoming essential in the squad, serving alongside captain Bruno Fernandes in creating offensive plays.
Benjamin Sesko has also shown reliability as a striker, indicating he might be a long-term successor to Rasmus Hojlund.
Additionally, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, despite recent form issues, rank higher than Zirkzee on the depth chart.
United aims to sell him, marking him as one of five players that Erik ten Hag is prioritizing for transfer this summer.
Joshua Zirkzee is set to join Andre Onana, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Hojlund, all of whom are also up for sale.
As Manchester United strives to improve its financial situation under INEOS, it’s natural for them to look to shed players they no longer need.
Onana and Hojlund have already been loaned out, while Mount has been sidelined due to frequent injuries, and Ugarte, like Zirkzee, has not made a significant impact.
Thus, if United can secure the £30 million fee for Zirkzee, it would be a moderate success in terms of recouping their investment.
Interest from Serie A
Given that United wants to sell Zirkzee and he wishes to leave, it’s almost certain he will move to Italy this summer.
During his time at United, clubs like Juventus, AS Roma, Inter, AC Milan, and Como have shown interest in the striker at various times.
His last season at Bologna established him as a notable Serie A talent, earning him a spot in the league’s Team of the Year and the title of Best Under-23 Player.
He played a crucial role in Bologna’s historic Champions League qualification, their first in 60 years.
In Italy, he drew parallels with a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic, recognized for his physicality and technical skills.
For Bologna, he was adept at linking up play and leading the press, skills that made him effective in Serie A but did not translate well to the challenges of the Premier League.
This broad interest from Italian clubs suggests they do not view his time at United as a failure but rather see it as a misfit for his abilities.
Zirkzee and Hojlund at Napoli
With negotiations now in progress for Napoli, it brings a sense of familiarity, given that Antonio Conte already has several former United players on his team.
He acquired Scott McTominay in 2024, and Romelu Lukaku is currently part of the squad, although he’s facing issues due to missing training, alongside Rasmus Hojlund, who is on loan.
Notably, Napoli plans to make Hojlund’s loan a permanent move, meeting their £38 million (€44 million) obligation at the season’s end.
This is not just a formality; they truly want him. Under Conte, he has scored 13 goals and provided four assists across 36 appearances, significantly improving upon his time at United.
As a result, Zirkzee would again find himself competing with Hojlund for a starting position, but this time, Hojlund is making a positive impact.
During his time at United, Hojlund endured a 21-game goal drought, and Zirkzee was still not able to secure a starting spot.
Now, the former Bologna player would need to put in even more effort to earn game time, the very reason he’s leaving Manchester United.
Thus, while a return to Italy is logical for Joshua Zirkzee, joining Napoli might not be the ideal choice at this moment.