Everton ready to rescue forgotten star from Premier League giant’s bench

Joshua Zirkzee’s limited minutes at Manchester United could spark a surprise January move as Everton look for attacking reinforcements
Everton v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Everton v Crystal Palace - Premier League | Matt McNulty/GettyImages

Everton are closely monitoring Joshua Zirkzee’s situation at Manchester United. The information was revealed by journalist Dean Jones, who mentioned the Dutch forward as a possible target for the Toffees in the January transfer window. The idea comes at a time when Zirkzee is struggling at the start of the season under Ruben Amorim, with limited minutes and no offensive contribution on the field.

Little space at Old Trafford

Zirkzee has played just 82 minutes across four games for United this season, without starting in any of them. His opportunities have decreased following the summer arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško. On top of that, players like Mason Mount and Amad Diallo also seem ahead of him in the attacking pecking order. The forward, who joined the club surrounded by expectations after a solid spell with Bologna, is now trying to figure out what his role will be.

Everton’s management believes the team needs more attacking power for the rest of the Premier League season, and Zirkzee has emerged as an interesting option. According to Jones, the player hasn’t ruled out staying in England, which strengthens the chances of a deal. The Dutchman is expected to consider both permanent and loan offers, with his priority being to find a club where he can play regularly. At 24, he still believes he has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League, even after an inconsistent first season.

Joshua Zirkzee
Manchester United v Burnley - Premier League | Visionhaus/GettyImages

Current situation and outlook

Right now, Zirkzee looks like a talented player with no space to grow. Amorim has plenty of attacking options, and Zirkzee has slipped down the list. Leaving Old Trafford seems like a natural outcome. Everton’s interest fits both sides: the club is looking for reinforcements, and the player wants minutes on the pitch.

Everton spent over £110 million on new signings during the last transfer window, with Jack Grealish standing out as the top addition so far. The club’s board knows the squad needs more depth and attacking alternatives to stay consistent through the rest of the campaign.

If Everton’s interest turns into a formal proposal, the club is expected to assess the financial conditions and potential structure of the deal. A loan move with a buy option could be a realistic solution to test the player without stretching the budget.

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