Fiorentina in Talks to Loan Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United

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

The Dutch forward, who can leave Old Trafford this summer, has drawn interest from several clubs across Europe, but Fiorentina have moved to the front of the queue as the transfer deadline of 1 September looms. Discussions are centred on an initial loan until the end of the campaign, with the Italian side keen to secure an option to make the move permanent next summer.

Crucially, Zirkzee is open to the switch. The 25-year-old still has three years left on his United contract, yet regular football has proved elusive and the chance to relaunch in Serie A appeals. Those close to the talks stress that an agreement is not imminent, but there is growing optimism on all sides that a deal can be struck in time.

Zirkzee arrived at United from Bologna in 2024 for £36.5m after a breakout year 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, hinting at a smooth transition and a long run in the starting XI.

That run never truly materialised. Across two seasons, Zirkzee has managed just 27 starts in 75 appearances, often used as a rotation option rather than a focal point of the attack. Last season underlined his struggle for status: only five Premier League starts in the 2025-26 campaign.

He has nine goals in all competitions for United, a modest return that reflects his bit-part role more than his potential. Fiorentina, searching for a forward who can both link play and finish chances, see an opportunity where United see a squad player.

If the clubs can finally align on the structure of the loan and the terms of a permanent option, Zirkzee’s next move could take him back to a league where he once thrived. The question now is whether Fiorentina and United can move quickly enough before the window slams shut.