Exclusive: Man United Lifeline Doesn’t Deter Roma’s Joshua Zirkzee Pursuit

Roma remain laser focused on signing Joshua Zirkzee in January, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

SportsBoom reported in October that Roma were among a number of clubs who were looking to secure the £40million signing when the window reopened.

But he has found himself back in the fold at Old Trafford with the injuries to summer signings Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. 

The 24-year-old scored his first Premier League in almost a year during last weekend's victory at Crystal Palace.

It is now understood that Ruben Amorim is now wary of allowing Zirkzee to leave in case he ends up in a similar situation later in the season.

Roma have reportedly highlighted Tottenham Hotspur’s Mathys Tels as a back-up option if a deal for Zirkzee fails to materialise.

Sources in Italy remain adamant the Red Devils’ striker is still Gian Piero Gasperini’s top target.

Speaking after the Palace game, Amorim said: “It’s not just the goals. Obviously goals give a lot of confidence for a striker.”

“With Josh, the way he connects and holds the ball is big for us. Our game improved because of him.”

“His influence in the game is so massive for the team. We won the game not just because of his goal, but becasue of the quality of Josh.”

Struggled in Premier League

Zirkzee started his career at Bayern Munich and scored four goals in 12 Bundesliga appearances across his four-year spell with the club. 

An impressive loan spell at Anderlecht, where he bagged 15 goals in 32 league games earned him a move to Italy with Bologna in the summer of 2022.

Zirkzee scored 12 goals in 37 outings in the 2023/24 campaign to earn himself a high-profile move to Old Trafford.

During his first season at the club, the Dutchman scored just seven goals in 49 appearances with four of those coming in cup competitions.