5 downgrades since change
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Joshua Zirkzee hardly gets any playing time at Manchester United and continues to lag behind his form from his Bologna days – a transfer to AS Roma in January could give him new impetus. As Sky journalist Fabrizio Romano reports, Roma is very interested in a transfer of the Dutch striker, who has played 355 minutes and scored one goal for the Red Devils this season. A meager return for an attacker who was fit the entire season and cost 42.5 million euros in July 2024.
Roma are even prepared to wait until January 18th for a transfer because United attackers Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo could be in action at the Africa Cup of Nations by then. Zirkzee has been waiting for a nomination from bond coach Ronald Koeman for over a year. In March 2025 he said about the former Bayern talent: “I think he’s not good enough at the moment.”
Since then, Zirkzee has only scored one goal in the Premier League and one in the Europa League. In order to have a chance of taking part in the 2026 World Cup, there is probably no way around a winter transfer.
For Manchester, where he is under contract until 2029, he was involved in eleven goals in 59 games – his scoring values were significantly better for Anderlecht (31 goal participations/47 games) and for Bologna (23/58). In the Bologna jersey, Zirkzee increased his market value to 50 million euros in June 2024 before moving to Manchester. Since then there have been five devaluations to currently 25 million euros. The returns from Everton striker Beto, who is also said to be on the Romans’ list, are similarly manageable – he also only scored once this season.
In Rome, Zirkzee is reportedly hoping for a loan with a purchase option, which can become an obligation to purchase if certain key figures are met. Things are going well for Roma in the table, as they are in 4th place with the best defense in the league and are only three points behind leaders Inter. Thanks to just eight goals conceded after 15 games, coach Gian Piero Gasperini has built a stronghold. The truth also includes the weakest offense in the top half of the table with just 16 goals. The striker duo Artem Dovbyk and Everton loanee Evan Ferguson have three Serie A goals together.