Joshua Zirkzee's Exit from Manchester United: Fiorentina Poised to Sign

Joshua Zirkzee’s Manchester United stint looks to be heading for the exit door, with Fiorentina moving into pole position for his signature after agreeing personal terms with the striker.

The 25-year-old has slipped completely out of Michael Carrick’s plans since the manager’s arrival in January. If there was any doubt, the opening day of the Premier League settled it. United chased a goal that never came against Hull City, yet Zirkzee watched the entire match from the bench. The message was unmistakable.

He has now accepted it.

Frozen out and facing another season as a spectator, the Dutch forward is ready to move on rather than endure a repeat of last year’s frustration. A return to Serie A has hovered in the background for some time. His performances at Bologna left a strong impression in Italy, and his name has rarely drifted far from the rumour mill there.

For a long stretch, Juventus and Napoli looked like the natural landing spots. Big clubs, European ambitions, familiar league. But the landscape has shifted. Fiorentina have stepped in and, right now, they are leading the race.

Fiorentina move into position

The Florence club are preparing for change up front. Moise Kean is expected to join Como, with the newly ambitious side tracking him for months. His sale would clear space in Fabio Grosso’s squad and open the door for a new focal point in attack.

That is where Zirkzee comes in.

Sporting director Fabio Paratici, back in Serie A after his spell at Tottenham, has turned his attention to the United forward. According to Italian journalist Damiano Er Faina, Fiorentina have reached an agreement with Zirkzee on personal terms, a crucial step in any deal.

One major hurdle remains. Fiorentina still have to find common ground with Manchester United on the transfer itself, and time is tight with Tuesday’s deadline looming. The framework, the fee, the structure of the move – all of it still needs to be thrashed out.

For now, though, the trajectory is clear: Zirkzee is edging closer to the Artemio Franchi, and further away from Old Trafford.

United’s next problem: who comes in?

If United sign off on his departure, they create another issue for themselves. They need a replacement, and they need one fast.

The market at this stage of the summer is unforgiving. Clubs know United are short, and United are reluctant to spend heavily on a forward who will sit behind Benjamin Sesko in the pecking order. The club want depth, not a new marquee name, but that doesn’t make the search any easier.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has emerged as one possible answer. At 29, he offers Premier League experience and a physical presence, and his contract at Crystal Palace is winding down. Palace, though, are still pushing for a sizeable fee, unwilling to let him go on the cheap just because of his contract situation.

Alexander Sorloth presents a different kind of opportunity. Now 30, the Norwegian has built a strong reputation across Europe, yet finds himself on the fringes at Atletico Madrid. That status could make him a more realistic and affordable target, especially for a club trying to balance squad needs with financial caution.

As Fiorentina close in on Zirkzee, United’s decision-makers have little room for hesitation. Do they cash in on a forward Carrick doesn’t trust, or hold their nerve and risk carrying an unhappy, unused striker through another season?