According to Gazzetta dello Sport, West Ham United are the only Premier League club to have shown an interest in signing Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee in January.
The Hammers have had a terrible start to the top-flight season and are languishing in the drop zone. The appointment of manager Nuno Espirito Santo has sparked a turnaround with back-to-back wins, but the London outfit could still back the Portuguese with some high-profile signings early next year.
Gazetta dello Sport report that Zirkzee is considering a move away from the Red Devils with the World Cup scheduled for next summer. He is determined to win back a place in the national team under coach Ronald Koeman and needs to play regularly to earn a late call-up next summer.
The Dutchman would prefer to move to Serie A with Roma. Giallorossi manager Gian Piero Gasperini is a big admirer of the 24-year-old. However, Zirkzee’s agent Kia Joorabchian wants him to stay in the Premier League for financial reasons. The Hammers are currently the only club interested.
Possible deal
Zirkzee had a good 2023/24 season with Bologna, scoring 12 goals and providing 7 assists from 37 appearances. He was one of Bologna’s standout players as they qualified for the Champions League. The Dutchman has failed to match such a level of performance since moving to England.
He has scored just three goals and two assists in 36 Premier League games. Zirkzee is hampered by the lack of confidence of his managers. Rasmus Hojlund was the regular striker for most of last season, while Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko shared the duties up front this season.
Zirkzee has failed to cement a regular starting role as number 9 for the Red Devils and may want a new challenge to redeem himself. A move to Roma seems unlikely if United want to recoup the transfer fee spent.£36 million). The Giallorossi could lean towards a loan deal with a future purchase clause for the striker.
The Hammers have the financial capacity to meet United’s demands. They spent £39m and £35m to sign Mateus Fernandes and Jean-Clair Todibo permanently last summer, and could be willing to pay big to bring Zirkzee to the London Stadium. The Dutchman has the qualifications to become an undisputed starter.
He impressed with his pace and quick feet in the final third. Zirkzee has also improved in his duel-winning ability compared to the start of last season. West Ham could get the best out of him as he also has a point to prove to Koeman to break into the Dutch setup before next summer’s World Cup.
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