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Juventus face key obstacle in pursuit of Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee
02nd August, 2026 10:49 AM
Juventus are stepping up their efforts to bring Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee back to Serie A before the summer transfer window closes, although negotiations are being complicated by disagreements over the structure of the deal.
The Dutch forward has slipped down the attacking hierarchy at Old Trafford and is no longer viewed as a central figure in Manchester United’s long-term plans. That situation has encouraged Juventus to intensify their interest as they look to strengthen their frontline for the new season.
Sporting director Frederic Massara is believed to be leading the pursuit. Having previously attempted to sign Zirkzee while working on a move to Roma, Massara is confident he can finally secure the striker’s signature this time around.
A return to Italian football is an attractive prospect for the 25-year-old, who impressed during his previous spell with Bologna and established himself as one of Serie A’s most promising forwards.
Reports indicate that Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has already approved the move, with the Italian tactician eager to add Zirkzee’s technical ability, movement and versatility to his squad.
The striker is also said to be enthusiastic about returning to Italy after enjoying success there earlier in his career. Roma showed strong interest in signing him earlier this year, but negotiations eventually broke down because of Manchester United’s financial demands.
Zirkzee willing to move
Despite the player’s willingness to join Juventus, the biggest challenge remains how the transfer would be completed.
The Italian giants are reportedly hoping to sign Zirkzee on an initial loan deal that includes an option to make the transfer permanent at a later stage. Manchester United, however, are reluctant to accept that arrangement after investing €42.5 million (£36.4 million) to sign him in 2024.
Instead, the Premier League club would rather agree to an outright sale or, if a loan is accepted, insist on a mandatory purchase clause at the end of the temporary spell.
That difference in approach could make negotiations difficult, as Italian clubs generally prefer optional rather than compulsory buy clauses in loan agreements.
There had also been speculation over a possible player exchange involving Francisco Conceicao, but the Portuguese winger is reportedly determined to remain at Juventus for the upcoming campaign, making such an arrangement unlikely.
