Joshua Zirkzee set to join Everton

Joshua Zirkzee is set to leave Manchester United in a dramatic late transfer deadline-day development.

According to Matteo Moretto, reporting via X, Zirkzee is heading to Everton.

The striker’s future has been uncertain throughout the closing stages of the window, with United open to his departure after he fell down the attacking pecking order.

A move to Everton would now keep Zirkzee in the Premier League and bring his time at Old Trafford to an end.

The move would end a frustrating two-year spell at Old Trafford for Zirkzee.

United signed the Dutchman from Bologna for around £36.5 million in July 2024 after he had enjoyed the best season of his career in Serie A, helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League and earning the league’s Best Under-23 award.

There were promising moments early on, including a winning goal against Fulham on his Premier League debut.

However, Zirkzee never truly nailed down a consistent role at United.

His best qualities have always been his link-up play, close control and ability to drop between the lines rather than simply operating as a traditional number nine.

At Old Trafford, that often left him caught between positions rather than becoming the focal point of the attack.

He scored only five Premier League goals across his first two seasons with United, despite making 56 league appearances.

The competition for places became even more difficult after United added Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo to their attacking options.

Zirkzee had already been linked with a return to Italy before Everton’s late intervention.

Fiorentina saw a move collapse after the forward rejected their proposal, which included a €5 million loan fee and €30 million option to buy.

Juventus also explored a deal, but Everton now appear to have jumped to the front of the queue in the dying stages of deadline day.