Report: Serie A side pushing to sign Man United star in £30m deal

Roma have opened formal talks with Manchester United over a deal for the forward whose time in England has stalled, and according to Gazzetta dello Sport , the green light came directly from Houston, where the Friedkin ownership base their key strategic decisions. Their approval signals intent, ambition and a recognition that the January window must address a lack of incision in the final third.

Recent displays against Napoli and Cagliari have exposed the limitations in Roma’s attacking structure. With hopes of a recalibration in their meeting with Celtic, the club have also accelerated conversations off the pitch. Zirkzee, long admired in Italy for his blend of technique, physicality and street football instincts, has become the focus. Gazzetta dello Sport note that “the Roma presidency has given its approval to accelerate the matter”.

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The signing would not simply be opportunistic. Gasperini, clear in his needs, has pushed Zirkzee to the top of his priority list, placing other names such as Raspadori and Fabio Silva on hold. His admiration dates to the forward’s time at Bologna, where he flourished under Thiago Motta. The characteristics Gasperini values most, his ability to manoeuvre in tight spaces, press intelligently and improvise under pressure, remain central to his profile.

The sporting director, Massara, will travel from Glasgow to Manchester to advance discussions. United are willing to sell and their position has been consistent for weeks. The forward remained unused in the recent 4-1 win over Wolves, even with Sesko unavailable. Gazzetta dello Sport report that this omission “convinced the player that he must leave the Premier League”.

United’s preference is clear. They want a loan with an obligation to buy for 35 million. Roma want the obligation tied to Champions League qualification and hope to negotiate a slight reduction in overall cost. The gap is not insurmountable, which is why the conversations have shifted from exploration to structure and detail.

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Gasperini’s conviction stems from both data and memory. Zirkzee’s 2023-24 season showcased a rare blend of technical flair and forward elasticity. As Gazzetta highlight, “he attempted more than four dribbles every 90 minutes with a success rate close to 50 per cent”. His creativity from deeper positions, his ability to ride challenges and his willingness to engage in one to one pressing sequences marked him as an atypical forward in Serie A .

Quotes from the player reinforce that backstory. “Street football makes you tough, it teaches you to become smarter and to stand up to older players”, he once said. That same ingenuity has been missing from Roma’s forward line, particularly with Ferguson’s likely return to Brighton and inconsistent output elsewhere.

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The next 72 hours are expected to be critical. Roma sense opportunity, United sense leverage and Gasperini senses the forward around whom he wants to build.

The prospect of Zirkzee departing will prompt mixed emotions. Many fans hoped he would develop into a creative focal point, someone capable of linking midfield to attack and offering a fluid alternative to traditional forwards. The talent is undisputed. His ability to glide past defenders, drop into pockets and produce moments of unpredictability made him an intriguing signing. Yet the reality has fallen short. He has drifted in and out of games, struggled with the intensity of Premier League defending and has not earned meaningful minutes under the current coaching structure.

A move to Serie A might be what revitalises him. Supporters have seen players rediscover rhythm in Italy before. However, there is also frustration that United appear set to lose a player who, with better tactical support or patience, might have blossomed. The proposed structure, a loan with obligation at 35 million, feels reasonable, but fans will want that money reinvested wisely, particularly with holes in midfield and uncertainty in wide areas.

If the deal progresses, most supporters will wish him well. There remains an affection for his style, even if it never fully translated in Manchester. Ultimately, the hope will be that this departure signals a clearer recruitment direction, one rooted in roles, profiles and long term planning rather than short term gambles.