West Ham United and Leeds United look set to miss out on a move for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee, with AS Roma now in advanced talks to sign the player in the January transfer window.
Serie A Move Gathers Pace for Out-of-Favour Forward
According to renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Italian club are progressing in discussions over personal terms with the 24-year-old Dutchman. This development represents a significant setback for the two Premier League sides, who had been linked with a move for the forward as they seek to bolster their attacking options this winter.
Zirkzee is expected to leave Old Trafford next month after falling down the pecking order. Manchester United invested heavily in their frontline during the summer, bringing in Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha. As a result, Zirkzee has managed just three Premier League starts this season under manager Ruben Amorim.
Premier League Suitors Face Urgent Deadline
The situation presents a particular urgency for West Ham. The Hammers have scored a mere 19 goals in 17 league matches this term and are poised to lose current striker Niclas Fullkrug to AC Milan. This creates a clear vacancy for a new recruit, with Zirkzee having been identified as a potential target.
Leeds United, also mentioned in reports from Italian outlet Il Messaggero last week, must now act swiftly if they are to hijack Roma's move. Manchester United, who paid £37 million to sign Zirkzee from Bologna in 2024, will have the final say on any deal. The striker has scored only eight goals in 60 appearances for the club.
Amorim's Backing Despite Limited Minutes
Despite his limited game time, Zirkzee has retained the public support of his manager. After a difficult performance against Everton last month, Amorim defended the player's quality. Following Zirkzee's crucial goal in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, the Portuguese coach highlighted his importance beyond just scoring.
"It’s so important for the strikers to score goals," Amorim said. "He’s not playing many minutes but the way he responds... is so important. It is more important than just the goals."
With Roma pushing to secure the deal as soon as possible, the window for any English club to intervene is closing rapidly. The final decision rests with Manchester United, who are also contending with several players departing for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
