Joshua Zirkzee transfer news: Fiorentina’s attempt to sign the Manchester United forward has taken a sharp turn for the worse. Transfer journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported on gianlucadimarzio.com that negative signals have emerged from Manchester, with the deal now facing significant hurdles.
Despite showing some openness to joining the Florentine club a day earlier, Joshua Zirkzee has not given his final approval to the move. Manchester United, for their part, haven’t settled on the financial structure they want for the deal either. Fiorentina responded to this blockage by identifying Everton striker Beto as a backup option. The Italian club also made clear they won’t sanction Moise Kean’s transfer to Como until a replacement attacker arrives.
Joshua Zirkzee transfer news and what the stalled deal really means for United
This isn’t just a slow transfer saga. It’s a slow-motion professional crisis for a 25-year-old who managed 2 goals and 1 assist across 24 Premier League appearances last season, figures so thin they barely justify squad registration, let alone a starting berth.
Michael Carrick has shown no interest whatsoever in working with him. The season-opening 2-0 loss to Hull City said everything. Zirkzee didn’t feature while 19-year-old academy product Shea Lacey came off the bench ahead of him. That’s the clearest possible signal from a head coach.
The tactical mismatch is structural, not temporary. Carrick’s system under INEOS demands explosive vertical transitions, the reason Benjamin Šeško and Bryan Mbeumo are there. Zirkzee naturally drops deep, slows tempo, and links play as a hybrid striker. Those two styles don’t meet anywhere on a football pitch.
Joshua Zirkzee transfer news aside, the financial damage is just as serious
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s board is operating under serious Profit and Sustainability Rules pressure after heavy summer spending that included Carlos Baleba. Keeping Zirkzee’s wages on the books directly blocks reinforcement in areas Carrick actually needs, which is a left-back to challenge Luke Shaw, being the most urgent.
Read: £30m striker being offered to Manchester United
If this deal collapses past September 1, Zirkzee doesn’t just lose a move. He loses competitive minutes, his Netherlands squad spot, and sees his market value shredded by January. A €30 million asset becomes a liability nobody asked for.
