Joshua Zirkzee Nears Fiorentina Move as Manchester United Consider Striker Options

Joshua Zirkzee looks to be heading for the Old Trafford door – and he hasn’t needed Michael Carrick to spell it out.

The 25-year-old forward has agreed personal terms with Fiorentina, according to Italian reports, after being frozen out of Manchester United’s opening Premier League fixture against Hull City. On a day when United chased a goal that never arrived, Carrick still left him rooted to the bench. The message landed.

Since the former midfielder took charge in January, Zirkzee has slipped down the pecking order in attack. Another season as a spectator now looms if he stays put, so the Dutchman is ready to move rather than endure another year as a bit-part option.

Italy has always felt like unfinished business for him. His spell at Bologna left a strong impression on Serie A observers, and links with a return have never really gone away. Juventus and Napoli were long seen as the natural candidates, clubs with the profile and ambition to match his. Yet as the window enters its final stretch, it is Fiorentina who have moved into pole position.

The Viola are preparing to sell Moise Kean to Como, a deal that has been building for months. Once Kean goes, a gap opens in Fabio Grosso’s squad. That is where Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici, formerly of Tottenham, has stepped in, targeting Zirkzee as the man to fill it.

Italian journalist Damiano Er Faina reports that Fiorentina have now reached an agreement with the Netherlands international on personal terms. One hurdle remains: a deal with Manchester United. With Tuesday’s transfer deadline looming, the clock is running on negotiations between the clubs.

For United, the potential departure forces an awkward question: who comes in, and how quickly can they get it done?

The market is thin. United are not planning to throw major money at a back-up striker, especially with Benjamin Sesko installed as the first-choice centre-forward. Any arrival will need to accept a supporting role and come at a sensible price, a combination that narrows the field even further this late in the summer.

Jean-Philippe Mateta has emerged as one possible solution. The Crystal Palace striker, 29, fits the profile of a physical, Premier League-ready option who can step in when Sesko needs a breather. Palace, though, are still holding out for a significant fee despite his contract running down, and United have so far shown little appetite for overpaying.

Alexander Sorloth offers a different route. Now 30, the Norwegian is on the books at Atletico Madrid but sits on the fringes despite a strong reputation built across Europe. His status in Spain could make him a more realistic and affordable target if United decide they cannot go into the season with Sesko as the only recognised senior No 9.

For now, the pieces are moving but not yet locked in. Fiorentina have their agreement with Zirkzee. United have a decision to make.

With the deadline days away, the question is simple: do they cash in on a striker Carrick clearly doesn’t trust, and can they find the right understudy in time to keep Sesko from carrying the load alone?