AC Milan are ready to join Roma in the chase for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee after struggling to find his feet in the Premier League.
Zirkzee, 24, could be heading for the Old Trafford exit door during the January transfer window.
The Dutchman has made just four league starts this season, with his solitary goal coming in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace last month.
Manchester United, who have been linked with Sergio Ramos, would consider letting him leave, but only in the final days of the window.
Competition for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee
According to Italian publication Mercato, AC Milan are preparing to make their move for the striker to help bolster their title charge.
While forwards Rafa Leao and Christian Pulisic have been in imperious form, fellow forwards Santiago Gimenez and Christopher Nkunku have failed to impress.
Boss Massimiliano Allegri wants a new forward to provide depth, and the AC Milan hierarchy are considering granting his wishes.
The report adds that the club have already made contact with the player’s agent Kia Joorabchian in recent weeks.
They’ll likely face competition from Roma, who are also in the market for a new frontman to help solve their goalscoring problems.
Roma sit fourth, four points adrift of top spot, but have scored just 15 league goals in 14 games – the lowest in the top 10.
Manager Gian Piero Gasperini has been vocal in his ambitions to bring at least one new forward to the club, which will have an impact on the future of Brighton’s Evan Ferguson.
The Irishman looks set to return to the Amex from his loan spell in the New Year, having scored just once in Italy.
Where Ferguson will end up next is unknown, but Roma are keen to terminate his deal early so they can free up a loan spot and bring in a new face that will help challenge AC Milan at the top.
Complications that may hamper Zirkzee move
While Manchester United will be keen to let Zirkzee leave, clubs may have to wait until the summer.
That is because manager Ruben Amorim is going to be left short of attacking options with Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo playing in the African Cup of Nations.
Striker Benjamin Sesko has also been sidelined for the last month with a knee injury and may have to wait until the end of the month before his return.
Any January move will be dependent on the timeline of Diallo and Mbuemo’s absence.
Both players will jet off next week, with the final set to take place on January 18.
There’s also the added complication of Zirkzee’s fee. United will want to recoup the €35.6million they paid for him in July 2024, which will prove a sticking point for the Italian duo.
A loan is likely to be considered, with an option to make the move permanent for a similar fee at the end of the season.
However, United want to add a clause in the loan deal to make a permanent move mandatory should they achieve Champions League qualification.
