Sky Sport Italia: Juventus in contact with Zirkzee entourage, Manchester United resistant to loan deal

Juventus are actively working to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, with their sights set not only on defensive reinforcements but also on bolstering their attack. The Italian giants have identified former Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee as a prime target to enhance their offensive options under manager Thiago Motta.

Sky Sport Italia journalist Gianluca di Marzio reports that the Bianconeri have initiated contact with Zirkzee’s representatives, sensing an opportunity as the Dutch forward struggles to find regular playing time at Manchester United. Zirkzee’s situation at Old Trafford has become increasingly precarious, highlighted by a recent match where manager Ruben Amorim substituted him after just 30 minutes for tactical reasons.

Juventus’ preferred approach would be to secure Zirkzee on a loan deal. However, this strategy has hit a roadblock as Manchester United are currently unwilling to sanction a straight loan move. The Red Devils’ stance is that any potential transfer should include an obligation to buy clause, reflecting their desire to recoup some of the investment made in the player last summer.

Zirkzee’s tenure at Manchester United has fallen short of expectations since his arrival from Bologna. The 23-year-old has found it challenging to adapt to the Premier League and has yet to make a significant impact in the team.

As Juventus continues to pursue Zirkzee, the club’s sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli faces the task of negotiating a deal that satisfies both clubs. The potential reunion of Zirkzee with his former Bologna coach Thiago Motta at Juventus adds an intriguing dimension to the transfer saga.

While discussions are ongoing, Juventus remains active on multiple fronts in the transfer market, with defensive reinforcements also high on their priority list.

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