Man Utd get Zirkzee sale boost as club go public on transfer desire: He’s very good!

Juventus have dropped a hint that they will be ready to move for Manchester United attacker Joshua Zirkzee if the Netherlands international is put on the transfer market in January.

Juve are seeking to take advantage of the difficult start that Zirkzee has had at Old Trafford since a €42.5 million move from Bologna in the summer.

The Serie A side have been linked with the forward as they seek to add firepower to their misfiring squad and Cristiano Giuntoli has effectively confirmed their interest in the player.

Speaking to DAZN prior to Saturday’s Serie A meeting with Venezia, he said: “Zirkzee is very good but he is part of another team and I can’t say anything else.”

Publicly, Juventus are keeping their lips sealed on a deal, even if their interest is genuine.

Giuntoli added: “We’re thinking about something completely different. Our desire is to keep everyone and do something in defence while waiting for those who will return from injury.”

While Man Utd’s asking price has never been made clear, it is likely that they would want to recoup the vast majority of the fee they paid Bologna for Zirkzee, while a loan deal may also be possible in the right circumstances.

Douglas Luiz transfer latest

One man who has been linked with a departure from Juventus in January is Douglas Luiz, who, like Zirkzee, has failed to make an impact following a summer move.

Giuntoli has defended the Brazil international and says the arrival from Aston Villa is going nowhere.

“He arrived with Danilo out of shape from the Copa America and struggled a bit at the beginning,” the Juventus director admitted.

“Then when he was in better form he started some games and was not as bad as portrayed. Then he got hurt and now he has had two training sessions.

“Two months have passed. In football, you always burn everything and everyone quickly. But you need calmness. Douglas Luiz is a very important player and we’re waiting for him to show it.”

While Juve are patient with Douglas Luiz, Man Utd already seem to have had enough of Zirkzee as January approaches.