Gazzetta: Roma could sacrifice Ferguson to make way for Manchester United outcast

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Peter Young | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 5:57 PM ET

Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Roma are plotting a potential move for Manchester United outcast Joshua Zirkzee during the January transfer window in an attempt to provide Gian Piero Gasperini with more reliable attacking options.

Zirkzee, who had been linked with moves to a number of different Serie A sides including Inter and Napoli over the summer, is now an increasingly possible option for Roma in January according to the latest updates.

The former Bologna forward has only played for 15 minutes in the Premier League since the start of September, and has fallen behind Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha in the Manchester United pecking order.

Roma increasingly keen on Zirkzee deal with Man United

United spent around €45m, plus a reported €10m in agent fees to sign Zirkzee from Bologna last summer, and for that reason, his leaving on a permanent deal in January is considered unlikely as per La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Ducthman is keen to boost his chances of making the Netherlands World Cup squad in the summer, though, and is therefore open to the idea of leaving Old Trafford on loan for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Roma are among the leading candidates to secure a deal for Zirkzee during the winter transfer window.

Gasperini’s attacking department currently includes Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson at centre-forward, but they have only scored one league goal between them since the start of the season.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that it is not out of the equation that Roma look to terminate their loan deal for Ferguson in order to accommodate Zirkzee in January.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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