Joshua Zirkzee says 'yes' to Juventus as Man Utd close to transfer agreement

Joshua Zirkzee is a step closer to leaving Manchester United after reportedly giving the green light to a move to Juventus. The Netherlands forward joined United from Serie A side Bologna for €42.5 million (£35.8m) in July 2024, signing a five-year contract. But the 25-year-old has found opportunities hard to come by and has scored just nine goals in 75 appearances. Zirkzee was linked with Atalanta and Roma during the January window, yet neither club followed through with a deal. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have now made their move, and Zirkzee has said yes to the Serie A giants. The report claims United are prepared to let Zirkzee leave on loan with an obligation to buy, while Juventus want that clause to be conditional on certain criteria being met. Gazzetta adds that talks are ongoing and there is optimism an agreement can be reached. If Zirkzee departs, United are expected to step up their search for a striker ahead of the 2026-27 Premier League season. sources says Michael Carrick's side want a reliable alternative to Benjamin Sesko, who scored 11 league goals last season. When Sesko was not leading the line, Carrick often used Bryan Mbeumo through the middle, leaving Zirkzee on the bench. Mbeumo is at his best out wide and also scored 11 league goals last term. broadcaster reports that United are also looking to add a left winger to compete with Matheus Cunha. The 20-time league champions have so far signed Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow ahead of Carrick's first full season in charge. Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim in January, was appointed permanently in May after guiding the club to a third-place Premier League finish and Champions League qualification in 2025-26.