Joshua Zirkzee in talks with Napoli

Joshua Zirkzee has been unsettled for some time now with the lack of game time at Old Trafford, with a Manchester United exit firmly on the cards.

For the former Bologna striker, a return to Italy has always seemed to be the most likely exit route, with talks now opening up.

Napoli Magazine has now reported that Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna holding significant discussions with the player’s team over joining the Italian champions.

It’s understood he’s a key priority for the Serie A side as United are looking for a £30 million (€35 million) fee for the former Dutch international to break even on the striker.

Since moving from Bologna in summer 2024 for £36.5 million (€42 million), Zirkzee has struggled to establish himself in the squad, and now rarely features.

Why Joshua Zirkzee is leaving Manchester United

Joshua Zirkzee’s main reason for leaving Old Trafford this summer is his game time and the implications of it.

At Bologna he was a regular starter, grabbing 12 goals and seven assists in 37 games in the 2023/24 season and was routinely called up for the Netherlands national team.

Manchester United brought him in as an emerging young talent, set to support Rasmus Hojlund as his back-up striker, also able to play in the second-striker role.

However, reports emerged that Erik ten Hag regretted the signing and that Zirkzee arrived out of shape to Old Trafford meant he was on rocky ground from the start.

Throughout his first United season he made 49 appearances with seven goals and three assists. This season, it’s less than half of that.

All season he’s made 20 appearances, grabbing two goals and a single assist in 546 minutes on the pitch.

As such, it’s no real surprise that he’s lost his spot in the Netherlands national team, wanting to get more game time to reclaim his spot.

There’s also limited scope to get more game time by staying at Manchester United.

Matheus Cunha is making himself vital in the squad alongside captain Bruno Fernandes at creating attacking opportunities.

Benjamin Sesko is becoming a reliable striker on and off the bench, making him a clear long-term successor for Rasmus Hojlund.

Then there’s Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo who, while experiencing a dip in form, are still ahead of Zirkzee in the pecking order.

Alongside these there’s United’s desire to sell him, being one of five of Erik ten Hag’s signings they are making a priority of selling in the summer.

Joshua Zirkzee is set to be alongside Andre Onana, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, all aiming to be sold.

With United doing everything they can to become financially viable under INEOS, it’s only natural that they are now looking to offload their unwanted players.

Onana and Hojlund have already been out on loan, while Mount’s constant injuries mean he’s out more than he’s available and Ugarte, similarly to Zirkzee has simply failed to impress.

As such, if United can get the £30 million for him, nearly breaking even, it can be considered a moderate win.

Zirkzee’s long-standing Serie A interest

So, with United wanting to sell Zirkzee and the man himself wanting to leave, it’s almost set for him to depart this summer with Italy as the obvious lifeline.

Since joining United, teams like Juventus, AS Roma, Inter and AC Milan, and Como have all been linked to the striker at one time or another.

His final season at Bologna set him up as a proven Serie A striker, earning him a place in the league’s Team of the Year and being awarded as the Best Under-23 Player.

He was also vital in Bologna’s historic Champions League qualification, marking the first time in 60 years to compete in the tournament.

In Italy he drew comparisons to a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic, being able to use his physical presence, along with technical ability to make his mark on the game.

For Bologna, he was dropping deep, receiving the ball, linking into tight spaces and leading the press, all traits which made him excell in Serie A, but hadn’t prepared him for the physicality of the Premier League.

As such, given the wide scale Italian interest, it’s clear they don’t see his time at Old Trafford as a failure, just that it was the wrong environment.

Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee for Napoli

However, with these talks now opening up a route to Napoli, it is creating a Manchester United 2.0 feel given that Antonio Conte already has several former Red Devils at his disposal.

He signed Scott McTominay in 2024, Romelu Lukaku is in the mix, although admittedly in hot water right now for missing training, and Rasmus Hojlund is currently there on loan.

The big thing here is that Napoli are due to make Hojlund’s move permanent, set to meet their £38 million (€44 million) obligation at the end of the season.

But this isn’t just an obligation, they want him. Under Conte he’s scored 13 goals and got four assists in 36 games, helping them to win the Supercopa Italiana, being a major improvement on his time at Old Trafford.

As such, Zirkzee would be competing with Hojlund once again for a starting spot in the squad, but this time Hojlund is actually delivering.

At United, Hojlund went through a 21-game goal drought, with Zirkzee still being second best.

Now, the former Bologna man would need to fight even harder for game time, the very thing he’s leaving Manchester United to get.

So, while a return to Italy certainly makes sense for Joshua Zirkzee, Napoli might not be the best option right now.