Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee seems to have been out of favor at Manchester United for some time, and coach Ruben Amorim shows no sign of changing that situation. With little playing time this season, he may choose to leave the club in the winter transfer window, and everything indicates that AS Roma is the most likely destination.
According to recent reports in the Italian press, AS Roma are interested in signing him. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to strengthen his attack midway through the season, and Zirkzee is at the top of his wish list. However, UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules could stand in the way of a deal.
Zirkzee failed to live up to expectations at Manchester United
After an impressive rise at Bologna FC, Manchester United invested a considerable amount to sign him in the summer of 2024. Although expectations were high, the adaptation has not been easy. In his debut season, the youngster scored only seven goals, but this season, he has played only 82 minutes in four games for the first team.
It is also worth noting that the striker did not play in the match against Liverpool FC and has only started once in the Premier League. With a contract until 2029, Zirkzee is already showing frustration with the situation, and the Red Devils may even allow him to leave, provided they recoup part of their investment.
On the other hand, Roma want more quality in attack, as Gasperini is not satisfied with the options he currently has. They understand that they need to bring in a top-level striker in January, and Zirkzee is one of their main targets. But there is one obstacle: financially, Roma are in trouble.
The club will likely be fined by UEFA for a financial violation in 2025 and wants to avoid further penalties in 2026. As a result, they will have limited capacity to operate in the market, but still want to sign players who can make an immediate impact. Despite his talent, Zirkzee is not entirely convincing that he can deliver that immediate impact. Given the FFP situation, Roma has serious doubts about moving forward with the deal.