By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Italy, August 27, 2026 - Fiorentina have stepped up their pursuit of Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, submitting an official proposal for the Dutch striker as they look to strengthen their attack before the transfer window closes.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Fiorentina are now in advanced talks with Manchester United after formally presenting an offer for Zirkzee. The proposal is structured as an initial loan worth €5 million, with a purchase clause included in the agreement. Negotiations are continuing between the two clubs and with the player's representatives.
The development represents a significant change in Zirkzee's situation at Old Trafford, just over two years after Manchester United signed him from Bologna.
Zirkzee's Manchester United spell under scrutiny#
United signed Zirkzee in July 2024 for a deal worth approximately €42.5 million (£35 million), making him the club's first signing of that summer. The Dutchman had enjoyed an impressive campaign with Bologna, helping the Italian side qualify for the Champions League and earning international recognition with the Netherlands.
His time in Manchester, however, has not developed as expected.
Zirkzee has struggled to establish himself as a consistent first-choice forward, with competition for attacking places limiting his opportunities. His situation has increasingly prompted interest from Serie A, where his performances with Bologna had established him as a highly regarded young striker.
Earlier this summer, Juventus were also exploring a loan move for the 25-year-old, with United reportedly becoming increasingly open to a temporary departure.
Fiorentina's approach now appears to have taken the situation considerably further.
Fiorentina offer a route back to Serie A#
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A return to Italy could be particularly attractive to Zirkzee given his previous success in Serie A.
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Fiorentina are looking for additional attacking options amid uncertainty surrounding Moise Kean, who has been linked with a move to Como. The club therefore view Zirkzee as a potential solution as they reshape their forward line.
The €5 million loan fee would give United immediate financial compensation while allowing Fiorentina to assess Zirkzee before deciding whether to make the move permanent.
The precise value and conditions of the purchase clause have not yet been publicly confirmed.
Manchester United face an important decision#
For United, the negotiations represent another opportunity to reshape a squad that has undergone significant changes.
Allowing Zirkzee to leave would free up space and potentially reduce the club's wage commitments, but it would also remove another attacking option. The structure of the proposed buy clause will therefore be crucial to United's decision.
At this stage, the transfer is not completed. Fiorentina have submitted the official offer and talks are advanced, but Manchester United and the player's camp still have to finalise the terms.
If an agreement is reached, Zirkzee could return to Serie A in search of the consistency and confidence that made him one of Italy's most exciting young forwards at Bologna.
For Fiorentina, it would be a potentially significant late-window signing.
For Manchester United, it could mark the beginning of the next chapter in a recruitment gamble that has failed to fully deliver at Old Trafford so far.