Fabrizio Romano teases Man Utd transfer: Interest ‘has not stopped’

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee could return to Serie A in 2026, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Netherlands international has struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford since joining in 2024. Zirkzee arrived from Bologna as one of the hottest prospects in European football, but the unique forward has failed to establish himself as a starter.

Signed to alleviate Man Utd’s scoring woes, the towering attacker has struggled to find the back of the net as that is not really his game. He is more of a second striker or No.10. Unfortunately, he has failed to impress even in those roles.

Despite this, Man Utd opted to keep Zirkzee around in the previous two transfer windows. In January, the 24-year-old was heavily linked with a return to Italy, while summer speculation was more muted because Rasmus Hojlund was the man being pushed out the door.

However, Zirkzee’s standing in the team has not changed. He is still only a bit-part player under Ruben Amorim, even if the Portuguese is happy to have the Dutchman at his disposal.

Zirkzee could leave Man Utd

According to Fabrizio Romano, it is not inconceivable that Zirkzee will be allowed to depart Man Utd in 2026 if his lack of game time persists. The transfer insider reports that a host of Italian clubs keep monitoring the attacker.

Juventus ‘were insisting like crazy’ to secure Zirkzee on loan in the January transfer, and the Bianconeri are still massive admirers of him. With Dusan Vlahovic set to leave in 2026, the Dutchman is seen as an ideal replacement.

Romano also states that Napoli and Inter have been showing an interest. The former signed Hojlund in the summer instead, so Zirkzee is likely not a priority anymore.

Similarly, AC Milan, who tried to sign Zirkzee in 2024 before he joined Man Utd, have brought in Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea to alleviate the pressing need for a new forward.

Thus far, Man Utd have not changed their stance that they would prefer to keep Zirkzee, but Romano insists that ‘Italian clubs have not stopped tracking’ him.

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