Fiorentina have opened talks with Manchester United over a loan move for Joshua Zirkzee, with the Netherlands international attracting interest from clubs across Europe as United look to move him on before the transfer deadline.
The two clubs are discussing a season-long loan with an option to turn the deal permanent next summer, according to Sami Mokbel. Zirkzee, who still has three years on his United contract, is understood to be open to the switch to Serie A.
Talks are early but deadline looms
An agreement is not described as close at this stage, though there is optimism a deal can be struck before the transfer window shuts on 1 September. That timeline gives both parties little more than a few days to settle on structure and fee.
Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford from Bologna in 2024 for £36.5m, having been named Serie A’s Under-23 player of the season for 2023-24. He scored on his debut for United in a 1-0 win over Fulham, but his time at the club has since stalled. Across two seasons he has made just 27 starts in 75 appearances, managing nine goals in all competitions. Last term brought only five Premier League starts.
Frozen out under Carrick
Simon Stone reports that Zirkzee has been viewed as the senior player most likely to leave Michael Carrick’s squad this summer, and he has already been linked with a number of Italian clubs. In United’s opening Premier League fixture at Hull, he was an unused substitute as Carrick instead turned to 19-year-old Shea Lacey in search of a way back into the game.
Zirkzee exit tied to United’s left-back plans
Any deal for Zirkzee is likely to be shaped by United’s broader business, particularly at left-back. Having committed up to £70m to sign Carlos Baleba, the club may decide against bringing in direct competition for Luke Shaw, instead considering switching Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui inside from the right, or deploying the left-footed Baleba in the role.
United retain an interest in Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, but only on loan terms — and Barcelona have made clear they intend to sell the 22-year-old rather than loan him out. How that situation develops could influence how quickly, and on what terms, United are willing to let Zirkzee go.
