Euro giants plot hostile raid for United’s unique trequartista, he is “desperate” to escape Old Trafford – Di Marzio

AS Roma are refusing to give up in their pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee despite Manchester United’s last response to their offer, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

Closed Door

The Italian side are determined to strengthen Gian Gasperini’s forward line this month, with I Giallorossi locked in a fiercely contested title race in Serie A. Just five points separate fifth-placed Roma from league leaders Inter Milan, with AC Milan, Napoli and Juventus squeezed in between them.

Zirkzee was identified as a key target in January, with the Dutchman’s reputation in Italy – he won Serie A’s Young Player of the Year with Bologna in 2024 – remaining untarnished by his struggles in England.

The 6’4 forward has all the tools to thrive in the Premier League, but he has been unable to utilise his physical attributes to unlock his excellent technical skills.

As a result, he has scored nine goals and provided four assists since arriving at Old Trafford, which is a dismal return for a striker, particularly one as creative as Zirkzee.

Joshua Zirkzee – Career Stats

Despite these issues, United were understood to have ruled out the prospect of the 24-year-old leaving this month, given the gaps in the squad created by the Africa Cup of Nations, with both Amad and Bryan Mbeumo departing in mid-December for the tournament in Morocco.

This led Roma executives to publicly declare their pursuit of Zirkzee was over, as the further turbulence of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal meant it was “highly unlikely” United would sanction a deal.

However, the attacking duo have now returned to Manchester after their countries—Ivory Coast (Amad) and Cameroon (Mbeumo)—were knocked out in the quarter-final stage last week. Both wingers took part in training at Carrington yesterday as Michael Carrick took charge of the side for the first time since his appointment as caretaker head coach.

This has now raised the prospect of Zirkzee’s departure once again, with the Netherlands international believed to be “devastated” at his escape to the Italian capital falling through.

Roma keep knocking

Di Marzio states Roma are “not giving up” on a move despite the arrival of two new forwards, Donyell Malen and Robinio Faz, this week.

The Italian transfer expert, considered the gold standard for Serie A updates, reveals the club’s officials are still locked in negotiations with both Zirkzee and United as they look to strike a deal.

The decision will now rest with Carrick, who is preparing to face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side in the derby this weekend. The returns of Amad and Mbeumo certainly bolster the new coach’s attacking options, but Zirkzee remains the only senior striker at the club outside of Benjamin Sesko.

The Dutchman is a wholly ineffective option, however, and United should look to facilitate his exit as quickly as possible to allow a better alternative to arrive in his place – with a perfect candidate already plying his trade in the Premier League, as explained here.

Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images

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