Fiorentina Leads Juventus in Race for Zirkzee

Joshua Zirkzee’s Manchester United stint looks to be drifting towards its conclusion, and Serie A is lining up to welcome him back. Two clubs are circling. Right now, one has a clear head start.

Fiorentina and Juventus both remain keen on the former Bologna forward, but current indications in Italy suggest La Viola are closer to striking a deal with United.

United are prepared to let the 25-year-old leave before the end of the summer window. The logic is simple: chances have dried up at Old Trafford. Zirkzee started only five Premier League games last season and didn’t get off the bench in United’s opening league match of the 2026-27 campaign against newly promoted Hull City.

His path has only become more crowded. Marcus Rashford is back from his loan spell at Barcelona, adding another obstacle in an already congested attacking department. For Zirkzee, the message is clear. If he wants to play, it likely won’t be in Manchester.

Serie A knows exactly what he can offer. In 2023-24, his final season with Bologna, Zirkzee hit 11 goals in the league and showed enough craft and presence to convince bigger clubs that he could lead the line at a higher level.

That memory is driving the current pursuit. Both Juventus and Fiorentina have explored ways to bring him back to Italy, but their situations are very different.

Juventus are still shopping for another attacker, yet their move for Zirkzee is tied to outgoings. They are expected to find a new club for Jonathan David before they can seriously advance for the Dutchman. Until that happens, their interest remains conditional rather than decisive.

Fiorentina, by contrast, are working to fill an immediate hole. Italy international Moise Kean is poised to join Champions League side Como in a €40m deal, leaving a vacancy at the heart of their attack. They need a replacement now, not later.

That urgency could prove decisive. With Juventus hamstrung by the need to sell and Fiorentina actively hunting a ready-made starter, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Viola currently hold the stronger hand in negotiations with Manchester United.

For Zirkzee, the next move is looming. The only real question is whether Juventus can clear the decks in time to challenge Fiorentina’s head start.