Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is edging closer to a departure from Old Trafford as Fiorentina pursues an initial loan deal with a €5 million fee. Transfer negotiations accelerate in the final days of the window while Aston Villa also maintains interest depending on Ollie Watkins’ future.
Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee is nearing a high-profile exit from Old Trafford as Serie A club Fiorentina makes concrete progress on a potential transfer deal. The Netherlands international, who moved to England in 2024 from Bologna, has struggled to cement a regular starting role under successive managers, netting nine goals across 75 appearances for the Red Devils.
That lack of consistent playing time and form left the 25-year-old forward out of the Netherlands squad for the World Cup in the summer. Now, with the transfer window drawing to a close, INEOS leadership and the United coaching staff appear ready to clear the path for attacking reinforcements as Michael Carrick’s side shapes its squad for the remainder of the campaign.
Fiorentina Pursues Initial Loan With Option to Buy
Fiorentina has submitted an official bid to Manchester United as the club scrambles to identify a replacement for Moise Kean. Kean has been actively pushing for a transfer of his own, having skipped training sessions to force through a move amid heavy interest from Como.
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Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on social media that the proposal from Florence centers on an €5m loan fee, buy clause included in the deal. Representatives from the Italian club have also opened direct talks with Zirkzee’s entourage to iron out personal terms while executive negotiations continue over the final purchase option valuation.
Juventus had also explored a potential move for the Dutch forward, but their pursuit stalled due to complications in offloading Canadian international Jonathan David. That administrative bottleneck left the door wide open for Fiorentina to seize the initiative.
Aston Villa Contact and the Ollie Watkins Factor
Fiorentina is not alone in monitoring the striker’s availability. Aston Villa has made direct contact with Manchester United regarding a potential Premier League deal, though any formal approach hinges entirely on developments concerning their own front line.
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Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal has intensified its pursuit of Villa talisman Ollie Watkins, lodging four separate bids. Although Villa rejected a recent offer valued at roughly £45 million, the Saudi club is widely expected to return to the table.
“Italian clubs calling. I’m told there was a call, just a call at the moment, no bid, no negotiation, but just a call, also from Aston Villa. Why Aston Villa? Why? Because Al Hilal are expected to return to the table for Ollie Watkins.”
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Fabrizio Romano, Transfer Expert
Villa manager Unai Emery addressed the mounting uncertainty surrounding Watkins ahead of the team’s opening fixture against Brighton, admitting that squad changes remain possible if the conditions suit all parties involved.
“We have an issue with him, it’s clear. He is our player. We have had offers for him. I don’t want to sell him but it can change because if it’s a good option for him and the club and I can replace him in the squad, this is the routine we have and we did before with the players who are leaving.”
Unai Emery, Aston Villa Manager
Squad Shuffling and Old Trafford’s Deadline Plans
Zirkzee’s expected exit comes as Manchester United balances a busy window of squad turnover. The club recently bolstered its midfield ranks by landing Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion in a package worth £70 million including add-ons.
Carrick’s squad also saw recent action at Old Trafford during a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, a match watched from the director’s box by former candidate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who recently took up an assistant coaching role with the Dutch national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Zirkzee featured briefly as a substitute in that fixture, stepping off the bench before negotiations over his future reached advanced stages.
With roughly 10 days remaining in the transfer window, United officials are expected to use funds and wage space from Zirkzee’s departure to prioritize further defensive additions, particularly at left-back, as the club navigates the final stretch of summer business.
