Zirkzee 'says yes' to £35m January transfer exit

Joshua Zirkzee has 'said yes' to AS Roma and will join the Serie A giants in January, according to Italian reports.

Zirkzee, 24, arrived at Old Trafford to much fanfare in the summer of 2024, with his £36.5million signing on a five-year deal the first major transfer of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era.

Then-managed by Erik ten Hag, Zirkzee's arrival signalled United's intent to bolster a struggling frontline that had scored just 57 Premier League goals in the 2023-24 campaign.

However, the forward scored just seven goals in 49 appearances last season and has rarely featured under Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim, who replaced ten Hag last November.

As Daily Mail Sport previously revealed, a lack of minutes has prompted the Netherlands international to explore alternative options as he looks to secure regular playing time ahead of next summer's World Cup.

And according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Dutchman has had positive discussions with Roma sporting director Ricky Massara and boss Gian Piero Gasperini, which have led to him agreeing to the move.

Gasperini is said to have 'reassured' Zirkzee that he will fit in his 3-4-2-1 system, first made famous during his spell with Atalanta, by playing him any of the front-three roles.

The Italian newspaper add that Zirkzee is expected to make the move to Roma by mid-January, after United have the likes of Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo back in their ranks after AFCON.

It is not expected to be a straightforward deal, however, after Amorim vowed that players could only leave Old Trafford if replacements are brought in.

'It's going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don't get a substitution,' the United boss said on Wednesday.

'We are short. Even with the full squad we are short for something that can happen.

'We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in [the media's] heads, in my head, in everybody's head, we need to win every game. It doesn't matter. There are no excuses.'

Roma are believed to be looking to strike an initial six-month loan deal, with an obligation to buy Zirkzee in the summer for a sum of around £35million, meaning United would recoup the majority of their investment in the player.

Should the move go through, he may not be the only United player heading for the Serie A, with Kobbie Mainoo also keen on a move to Napoli - where former Red Devil Scott McTominay is enjoying success.

However, Amorim maintains that the unhappy midfielder still has a big future at Old Trafford.

'Kobbie Mainoo will have the opportunity,' Amorim said. 'He's going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling. He just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days.'

Napoli are at the front of the queue for Mainoo, but United are reluctant to bring in stop-gap replacements in the January window and could wait until the summer to bring in a new midfielder.

They are, however, keeping tabs on Everton man James Garner, who is heading into the final six months of his deal at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Daily Mail Sport revealed that Garner, who came through the ranks at United before moving away, is viewed as an affordable addition to go alongside more significant spending in the summer with Elliot Anderson the club's top midfield target.