Roma Revive Interest in Manchester United's Zirkzee
Transfer News·22 May 2026·8h ago

Roma Revive Interest in Manchester United's Zirkzee

Source: Cult of Calcio

Roma have renewed their interest in acquiring Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United, despite signing Donyell Malen in January. The decision to pursue Malen over Zirkzee was primarily driven by economic rather than technical considerations, but Roma remain focused on the former Bologna striker. Under the right circumstances, the Giallorossi plan another attempt to bring him to Rome.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini views Zirkzee as an ideal complement to Malen, believing the pair would form a quality attacking duo. Zirkzee, 25, has struggled significantly at Old Trafford since his €42.5 million transfer in 2024. He has started just once in recent months and has largely been limited to bench appearances, recording two goals and one assist in 25 appearances this season. A late coaching change in the winter window previously halted Roma's pursuit, but the forward's prospects of leaving Manchester United appear stronger heading into the summer.

Zirkzee previously excelled in Serie A, scoring 12 goals and providing 7 assists in 37 games during his best Italian campaign. Several top Serie A clubs—Napoli, Juventus, and Milan—have been linked with him at various points. However, Manchester United's asking price has consistently remained high despite his limited impact at the club. Whether that fee proves negotiable this summer remains to be seen.

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Roma signed Donyell Malen over Joshua Zirkzee in January, reaping massive benefits, but the decision was more economic than technical, and their interest in the former Bologna star hasn’t decreased, Alfredo Pedullà reports.Under the right circumstances, the Giallorossi will make another attempt for the Manchester United outcast. His role has continued to be very limited despite the various managers who coached him at Old Trafford.Gian Piero Gasperini wishes Roma would acquire another elite striker in the summer, and Zirkzee and Malen would form a well-assorted and quality duo, in his opinion. The center-forward is more likely to depart than in the previous window. A late coaching change stopped a few deals during the winter.However, the 25-year-old didn’t win over Michael Carrick either. He has started just once in the last few months and has mostly seen very limited minutes off the bench. He has scored just twice and assisted once in 25 appearances this campaign.The forward has been attached to a Serie A return a few times, as Napoli, Juventus, and Milan have all tried at some point. On the other hand, Manchester United always asked for a robust fee despite his struggles. They acquired him for €42.5M in 2024. He notched 12 goals and 7 helpers in 37 games in his best season in Italy.Our Take on Roma and ZirkzeeLike clockwork, some side attempts to bring him back even though he flopped at a higher level. While his skillset is pretty tantalizing, and he would indeed fit well next to a goal poacher, as that’s not his forte, the cost of the deal has generally been too high. We’ll see whether that changes this time around. Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football Related posts: Another Injury to Speed Up Roma Transfer Market Plans Roma All-In on Zirkzee, Meet with Dovbyk Entourage Roma and Milan Attached to Borussia Dortmund Striker Multiple Top Teams Looming Over Roma Defensive Pillar

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