Fiorentina Negotiates Loan Deal for Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United

Fiorentina are in talks with Manchester United over a deal to take Joshua Zirkzee on an initial loan, with an option to buy at the end of the season.

The Italian club have moved for the Netherlands international as it becomes increasingly clear his future lies away from Old Trafford this summer. Interest in Zirkzee has been strong across Europe, and Fiorentina are now working on a structure that would see him join on loan until next June, with the possibility of making the transfer permanent next summer.

Discussions between the clubs are described as ongoing rather than close, but there is growing optimism on all sides that an agreement can be struck before the transfer window closes on 1 September. Zirkzee, who still has three years left on his United contract, is open to the switch and prepared to make the move to Serie A.

United signed Zirkzee from Bologna in 2024 for £36.5m after a standout campaign in Italy, where he was named Serie A's Under-23 player of the season for 2023-24.

He made an immediate impact in England, scoring on his debut in a 1-0 win over Fulham, a moment that hinted at a long run in the starting XI.

That run never truly materialised. Across two seasons at Old Trafford, the 25-year-old has struggled to nail down a regular place, starting only 27 of his 75 appearances in all competitions. Last season underlined his battle for minutes: just five Premier League starts in 2025-26, and nine goals in total since arriving at the club.

Now Fiorentina are offering a reset. United are weighing up a deal that would ease their attacking logjam and potentially recoup a significant fee next summer, while the forward looks at Florence as a chance to relaunch the promise that first turned heads in Italy.