Fiorentina in Talks for Joshua Zirkzee Loan from Manchester United

Fiorentina are in talks with Manchester United over a loan deal for forward Joshua Zirkzee, with the move including an option to buy at the end of the season.

The Netherlands international is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer and has drawn interest from several clubs across Europe, but Fiorentina have stepped up their pursuit. Negotiations are under way over a season-long loan running to the end of the campaign, with an option to make the transfer permanent next summer.

Zirkzee, who still has three years left on his United contract, is open to the switch to Serie A. Those involved in the discussions do not yet describe an agreement as close, but there is growing optimism that the clubs can strike a deal before the transfer window closes on 1 September.

United signed Zirkzee from Bologna in 2024 for £36.5m after he claimed Serie A’s Under-23 Player of the Season award for 2023-24.

He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in a 1-0 win over Fulham, hinting at a long-term role in United’s attack.

That promise has not turned into a regular starting place. Across two seasons he has managed just 27 starts in 75 appearances, struggling to nail down a consistent role in the first team. Last season underlined the problem: only five Premier League starts in the 2025-26 campaign.

In total, the 25-year-old has scored nine goals in all competitions for United. Fiorentina now see an opportunity. United see a decision looming on a significant investment. The next few days will decide whether Zirkzee’s reset comes in Florence.