Juventus Targets Joshua Zirkzee After Kolo Muani Deal Stalls

Joshua Zirkzee has become Juventus’ prime attacking target after their move for Randal Kolo Muani hit a wall, with the Italian club now pushing to take the Manchester United forward on loan with a £30million option to buy.

At Old Trafford, Zirkzee has slipped to the margins. Across last season, under both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick, he started just five Premier League games. For a 25-year-old who arrived with expectations and a sizeable fee, his United story has stalled quickly.

Juve, sensing an opportunity and short on time, have moved.

From Kolo Muani to Plan Zirkzee

The Turin club had initially trained their sights on Kolo Muani, believing a deal with Paris Saint-Germain was within reach after the France international’s underwhelming loan spell at Tottenham. Talks dragged. The fee became a problem. Negotiations stalled.

Juve grew impatient. With their forward line still light and the season edging closer, they switched course.

The focus is now firmly on Zirkzee as the new No9 candidate. Among his suitors, Juventus are the most aggressive, even with Roma maintaining a long-standing interest in the Dutchman. Luciano Spalletti’s side, though, have moved quicker and are currently viewed as favourites for his signature.

Inside Zirkzee’s camp, the response has been encouraging. SunSport understands his representatives have given a positive reply to Juventus’ approach, and the player himself is keen on the move to the Allianz Stadium.

A Striker Searching for the Right Stage

Zirkzee’s numbers at United tell the story of a stop-start spell: nine goals in 75 appearances. Flashes, but not enough consistency to lock down a starting role. He now sits behind Benjamin Sesko and Mateus Cunha in the pecking order, with Marcus Rashford potentially returning to the attacking mix this season.

United, aware of the situation and the need to trim their squad, are prepared to sanction a loan with a £30m option, despite paying around £36.5m to sign him in 2024. Club officials accept that figure reflects his current value after a campaign that never truly ignited.

For Zirkzee, the attraction of Serie A is obvious. He knows the league, knows the rhythm, and believes it suits his game. A season on loan at Parma and two years with Bologna have already given him a foothold in Italian football. He sees the tactical demands of the division as a better match for his style, and after struggling for confidence at United, he views Juventus as the right step at this stage of his career.

Juve’s Need for a No9

Juve’s urgency is real. Dusan Vlahovic has departed on a free transfer, leaving a void at centre-forward. Jonathan David, brought in to help carry the load, has laboured in front of goal, scoring just six times in 35 Serie A appearances last season.

The numbers are stark. A club built on ruthless efficiency in both boxes suddenly looks blunt in the area that matters most. That is why the focus has hardened on Zirkzee.

He is not arriving as a guaranteed saviour. His record in England offers more questions than answers. But in Turin, with a system he trusts and a league he understands, Juventus believe they can unlock a version of Zirkzee that Old Trafford has only seen in glimpses.

For player and club, this feels like a crossroads. United are ready to move on. Juventus are desperate to move forward. Now the decision rests on whether Zirkzee’s next chapter will be written in black and white stripes.