Juventus make €32.5m bid for Joshua Zirkzee

Manchester United’s plans up front have been left hanging on the outcome of one saga more than any other in these final hours of the window.

Michael Carrick effectively has just Benjamin Sesko to call upon as a recognised centre-forward, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both capable of covering but neither a natural fit through the middle.

Joshua Zirkzee’s situation has dragged on for days as a result, with his exit viewed as the key that unlocks any further business United might do before Tuesday’s deadline.

Fiorentina thought they had done enough, tabling a €5million loan with a €30million buy option, only for Zirkzee to turn it down and La Viola to move swiftly for Everton’s Beto instead.

That rejection wasn’t simply stubbornness on Zirkzee’s part; reports in Italy suggested he had grown genuinely intrigued by the idea of a return to Turin rather than Florence, even before Juventus had formally entered the picture.

Discussions between Juventus and United for Joshua Zirkzee are now on, with the Bianconeri having submitted an official offer worth around €2.5million for a loan, alongside a €30million buyout option, as Gianluca Di Marzio reported on his website.

United’s asking price sits notably higher, with the club understood to want a total package worth €35million once the initial loan fee and eventual buyout are combined.

Juventus’ move for the Dutchman is entirely contingent on first offloading Jonathan David, who has fallen out of favour at Continassa following a difficult year and a half since his free transfer from Lille.

David was audibly jeered by his own supporters during Juventus’ recent win over Parma, substituted to a mixed reception that only strengthened the sense his time in Turin is coming to an end.

Atletico Madrid have since submitted an official offer for the Canadian, proposing a loan with an option to buy that both clubs are working to finalise before Tuesday’s 8pm deadline.

Only once that piece falls into place can Juventus formally move to complete a deal for Zirkzee, leaving the Dutchman with little choice but to wait on developments in Spain before his own future can be resolved.

Zirkzee’s underwhelming return since his £36.5million move from Bologna, five goals in 56 Premier League appearances, has done little to help United’s negotiating position, even with the sizeable fee still being sought.

United’s own move for a replacement striker, hinges entirely on Zirkzee’s exit being finalised in time, making the coming hours as significant for Carrick’s incomings as for who leaves.