Manchester United have placed a €35m (£31m) valuation on forward Joshua Zirkzee as Roma pursue a January loan deal with an option to buy. The 24-year-old, signed for £36.5m from Bologna last summer, has struggled for minutes at Old Trafford this season. Dutch legend Ruud Gullit has urged Zirkzee to return to Italy to revive his career.
Joshua Zirkzee joined Manchester United from Bologna in the summer of 2024 for £36.5m under then-manager Erik ten Hag. The Dutch striker enjoyed a strong final season in Serie A, scoring double figures, but has managed only three Premier League goals since arriving in Manchester. This term, in the 2025-26 campaign, Zirkzee is yet to start a game and has played just 82 minutes, prompting speculation over his future.
Roma are leading the interest in Zirkzee, with reports indicating they plan to approach United for a loan in January that includes a €35m option to make the move permanent next summer. United are open to sanctioning a departure if the terms are right, and current manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly given the green light. The deal would require Zirkzee to accept a pay cut, as Roma aim to bolster their attack in the winter window.
If Roma cannot secure Zirkzee, they may turn to Tottenham's Mathys Tel as an alternative. Meanwhile, Premier League clubs have also been linked with the Netherlands international, who is eager for a move to boost his chances of featuring at next summer's tournament.
Ruud Gullit, a Dutch football icon, recently advised Zirkzee to leave United. 'I think from my point of view that he should have stayed in Italy, because he was really striving,' Gullit told Metro. 'He was really doing well at Bologna... I think that as soon as he went to Manchester United, it was the wrong decision.' Gullit added, 'Go back to Italy on loan if you can. Just play football. He’s a good player.'