Joshua Zirkzee could make a sensational return to Italy after a Serie A club are weighing up a potential January transfer swoop, according to stunning reports.
The 24-year-old Dutch forward made his name in the Serie A with Bologna and caught the eye of Manchester United during his successful spell in Italy.
Joshua Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford in 2004 after United signed him in a deal worth 36.54m from Bologna, but he has since struggled in England.
The former Bologna striker failed to establish himself as a regular under Erik ten Hag at United before falling down the pecking order even further with Ruben Amorim.
Zirkzee had been linked with Serie A clubs like AC Milan, Juventus and Roma in the summer and the out-of-favour United star’s future at Old Trafford is in doubt.
Roma could make another approach for Man Utd striker Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window
Joshua Zirkzee has been reduced to five appearances across all competitions for Manchester United in the 2025-26 campaign under Ruben Amorim.
The Netherlands international has not started a single match for United this season and Zirkzee has largely received brief cameo roles for the Red Devils.
According to The Daily Mail, Roma could now ‘revive their interest’ in Zirkzee and try to sign the wantaway United striker in the 2026 January transfer window.
The newspaper reports that the United forward is open to a loan move, with Zirkzee fighting for first-team minutes ahead of the 2026 World Cup next summer.
It had been reported that Roma failed with their bid to sign Zirkzee in the summer and the Netherlands striker is deeply admired in Italy after his exploits with Bologna.
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Roma are also looking at two other transfer targets alongside the interest in Man Utd star Joshua Zirkzee
Football Italia has carried a report featuring Matteo Moretto and the Italian transfer expert’s insight into the situation around United striker Zirkzee and Roma.
According to the Italian publication, Matteo Moretto has said that Zirkzee’s name is something ‘everyone agrees on’ at Roma amid the growing transfer speculation.
Speaking on Fabrizio Romano’s Italian YouTube channel, Moretto has suggested that Roma are also keeping close tabs on other options ahead of the window opening.
FC Koln striker Malek El Mala is believed to be on Roma’s transfer radar, with the 20-year-old German someone that the club are putting a ‘great attention’ on at the moment.
Alongside the interest in Malek El Mala, Spain-born Racing de Santander forward Jeremy Arevalo is another name of interest for Serie A outfit Roma.
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