Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is interested in a January move and has seen another Premier League side begin to mull a deal in the winter transfer window
Joshua Zirkzee may have another route out of Manchester United, with Everton becoming the latest club to reportedly show an interest in his signature. The Dutch forward has previously been linked to West Ham and a range of European clubs as he struggles for minutes under Ruben Amorim.
Zirkzee has made five appearances this term and been on the pitch for just 90 minutes after United strengthened their forward options in the summer. After the arrivals of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, Zirkzee has found himself well down the pecking order.
Last month, West Ham were noted to be preparing a loan offer for the forward, undeterred by United's reluctance to part ways. Everton are now said to be targeting a forward in January and could provide some competition.
It is reported they want to land a different profile forward to Beto and Thierno Barry and that Ivan Toney and Zirkzee are high up on their list of targets should they become available, per Sky Sports.
Zirkzee's chances may have been boosted with the same report suggesting Gabriel Jesus will be out of the Toffees' reach. Mikel Arteta has said the injured forward won’t be moving.
Napoli and Juventus have previously been linked with an attempt to land Zirkzee, while Roma are also said to be interested. The latter could even consider terminating Evan Ferguson’s loan from Brighton to facilitate a move.
Asked about the prospects of exits for Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo, earlier this season, Amorim said he understood the noise over their futures. United's boss made it clear the pair belong to the Red Devils, however.
"That is normal, and I also know that in our club, everything is a lot of noise, and you have to have news, and players are not playing," he said.
"They want to play. Like you said, there’s a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time. So, I understand that but they are our players, and we need everyone to have a good season."
Zirkzee is expected to ask to leave United in the next transfer window. The £36million forward has failed to make an impact after signing last year, as he bagged just seven goals in 49 appearances in all competitions.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has told his countryman that he must start more games to be considered for the World Cup, should the team qualify for next summer's tournament in North America. Zirkzee would prefer to remain in the Premier League, but is willing to return to a European club.